Shloka 1.7.5
अमात्य-गुणवर्णनम् (The Virtues of Daśaratha’s Ministers and the Order of Governance)
विद्याविनीता ह्रीमन्त: कुशला नियतेन्द्रिया: ।श्रीमन्तश्च महात्मानश्शास्त्रज्ञा दृढविक्रमा: ।।।।कीर्तिमन्त: प्रणिहिता: यथावचनकारिण: ।तेज: क्षमायश:प्राप्ता स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषिण: ।।।।
vidyāvinītā hrīmantaḥ kuśalā niyatendriyāḥ | śrīmantaś ca mahātmānaḥ śāstrajñā dṛḍhavikramāḥ || kīrtimantaḥ praṇihitā yathāvacanakāriṇaḥ | tejaḥkṣamāyaśaḥprāptā smitapūrvābhibhāṣiṇaḥ ||
They were trained through learning and discipline, ashamed to do what is wrong, skilled, and self-restrained. Prosperous and high-souled, they knew the śāstras and were steadfast in courage. Renowned and attentive, they acted according to what they spoke; endowed with splendour, forbearance, and good repute, they addressed others with words preceded by a smile.
They were well-educated in all branches of knowledge and deemed unjust acts shameful. They were renowned, proficient, versed in sastras, wealthy and magnanimous. They had their senses restrained and their deeds were in accordance with their words. They acted with determination. They were brilliant, forgiving and reputed. And always spoke with a smile.
Dharma here is integrity in public life: self-restraint, śāstra-informed judgment, and especially satya—acting exactly as one speaks (yathāvacanakāriṇaḥ).
The poem praises the moral and intellectual calibre of the king’s advisors, portraying Ayodhyā’s administration as grounded in virtue and truthfulness.
Truth-aligned conduct and disciplined character: they restrain the senses, keep their minds attentive, and unite courteous speech with reliable action.