Shloka 1.7.18

अमात्य-गुणवर्णनम् (The Virtues of Daśaratha’s Ministers and the Order of Governance)

Devanagari script

ईदृशैस्तैरमात्यैस्तु राजा दशरथोऽनघ: ।उपपन्नो गुणोपेतैरन्वशासद्वसुन्धराम् ।।।।

Transliteration

īdṛśais tair amātyais tu rājā daśaratho 'naghaḥ | upapanno guṇopetair anvaśāsad vasundharām ||

Translation

Surrounded by such ministers endowed with virtues, the sinless king Daśaratha governed the earth in due order.

Context

The faultless king Dasaratha, with the assistance of such ministers endowed with virtues, ruled the earth.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Earth (vasundharā)
• Ministers (amātya)

FAQs

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

A king’s dharma is effectively realized through virtuous advisers; righteous governance is a collaborative moral enterprise, not a solitary act of power.

What is the narrative situation?

After enumerating ministerial qualities, the narrator concludes that Daśaratha’s successful rule followed from being supported by such capable, ethical ministers.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Blameless rulership sustained by wise counsel—Daśaratha’s governance is portrayed as disciplined and dharmic.