Shloka 1.7.22

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

Devanagari script

तैर्मन्त्रिभिर्मन्त्रहिते नियुक्तैर्वृतोऽनुरक्तै: कुशलैस्समर्थै: ।स पार्थिवो दीप्तिमवाप युक्तस्तेजोमयैर्गोभिरिवोदितोऽर्क: ।।।।

Transliteration

avekṣamāṇaś cāreṇa prajā dharmeṇa rañjayan |

prajānāṃ pālanaṃ kurvann adharmān parivarjayan ||

viśrutas triṣu lokeṣu vadānyaḥ satyasaṅgaraḥ |

sa tatra puruṣavyāghraḥ śaśāsa pṛthivīm imām ||

Translation

Keeping watch through his agents, he protected the people, delighted them by righteousness, and kept away from unrighteousness. Renowned in the three worlds as generous and steadfast in truth, that tiger among men ruled this earth there in Ayodhyā in a dharmic manner.

Context

Accompanied by the ministers who were devoted to his welfare, adept in counselling, skilful, capable and loyal towards him, the king acquired glory like the rising Sun with luminous rays.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē bālakāṇḍē saptamassarga: ৷৷Thus ends the seventh sarga of Balakanda of the holy Ramayana the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• three worlds (trailokya)
• earth (pṛthivī)

FAQs

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

A king’s dharma is protective and moral: he must safeguard subjects (pālana), promote righteous living (dharmeṇa rañjayan), and actively avoid adharma; satya (truth) is presented as a binding vow of leadership.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration praises Daśaratha’s rule—his surveillance for security, his commitment to righteous administration, and his fame for generosity and truth.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satyaniṣṭhā (steadfastness in truth) coupled with protective governance and the rejection of adharma.