Shloka 1.7.9

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

Devanagari script

कोशसङ्ग्रहणे युक्ता बलस्य च परिग्रहे ।अहितं चापि पुरुषं न विहिंस्युरदूषकम् ।।।।

Transliteration

kośa-saṅgrahaṇe yuktā balasya ca parigrahe | ahitaṃ cāpi puruṣaṃ na vihiṃsyur adūṣakam ||

Translation

They were adept at building the treasury and maintaining the armed forces; yet they would not harm even an ill-disposed person, if he was without offence.

Context

They were experts in replenishing the exchequer and in collecting the army. They never inflicted any punishment even on those who were not their well-wishers, if they did not commit any offence.

Characters & Entities

• treasury (kośa)
• army (bala)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires punishment to be fault-based: even a hostile person should not be harmed if innocent (adūṣaka).

What is the narrative situation?

The text continues listing ministerial virtues—economic strength and military readiness governed by justice.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Restraint and commitment to due process rather than revenge.