Shloka 2.57.14

सप्तपञ्चाशः सर्गः — Sumantra’s Return to Ayodhya and the Palace’s Lament

Devanagari script

किं समर्थं जनस्यास्य किं प्रियं किं सुखावहम्।इति रामेण नगरं पितृवत्परिपालितम्।।।।

Transliteration

kiṃ samarthaṃ janasyāsya kiṃ priyaṃ kiṃ sukhāvaham | iti rāmeṇa nagaraṃ pitṛvat paripālitam ||

Translation

Ever considering, “What benefits these people? What pleases them? What brings them happiness?”—thus did Rāma protect the city like a father.

Context

Rama looked after his people like a father always thinking what was good for them, dear to them and comfortable to them.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Ayodhyā (city, implied by 'nagaram')
• people of Ayodhyā

FAQs

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

Rāja-dharma as parental care: governance is measured by the people’s welfare (hita), legitimate satisfaction (priya), and well-being (sukha), not by the ruler’s self-interest.

What is the narrative situation?

Amid lamentation, the narration recalls Rāma’s style of protecting Ayodhyā—attentive to what truly benefits the citizens.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vātsalya and responsibility in leadership: Rāma embodies the ideal protector, treating subjects as a father treats children.