Shloka 2.46.23

तमसातीरवासः — Night on the Bank of the Tamasa and the Stratagem to Elude the Citizens

Devanagari script

पौरा ह्यात्मकृताद्दुःखाद्विप्रमोच्या नृपात्मजैः।न तु खल्वात्मना योज्या दुःखेन पुरवासिनः।।2.46.23।।

Transliteration

paurā hy ātma-kṛtād duḥkhād vipramocyā nṛpātmajaiḥ |

na tu khalv ātmanā yojyā duḥkhena pura-vāsinaḥ ||2.46.23||

Translation

Indeed, the citizens should be freed by the king’s sons from the suffering they have brought upon themselves; but the people of the city should not be made to share suffering on our account.

Context

The prince should deliver the citizens from the sufferings caused by themselves but should not make them suffer on their account.

Characters & Entities

• citizens (paurāḥ/puravāsinaḥ)
• princes (nṛpātmajāḥ)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Rāja-dharma: rulers (and princes) exist to relieve public distress, not to transfer their private burden onto the people.

What is the narrative situation?

As Rama prepares for exile, he reflects that the citizens should not be forced into further suffering because of his departure.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protective leadership and accountability—placing the welfare of subjects above personal circumstance.