Shloka 6.1.8

प्रथमः सर्गः — Rama Praises Hanuman; Anxiety over Crossing the Ocean

Devanagari script

नियुक्तोय: परं कार्यं न कुर्यान्नृपतेः प्रियम् ।भृत्योऽभृत्यस्समर्थोऽपि तमाहुर्मध्यमं नरम् ।।।।

Transliteration

niyukto yaḥ paraṃ kāryaṃ na kuryān nṛpateḥ priyam | bhṛtyo 'bhṛtyaḥ samartho 'pi tam āhur madhyamaṃ naram ||

Translation

Even if capable, a servant who, though appointed, does not also do what is dear and beneficial to the king beyond the bare assignment is called a middling man.

Context

An efficient servant does not only do what is asked but also does the work dear to the king. One who does not do so is said to be mediocre.

Characters & Entities

• nṛpati (king) (generic)

FAQs

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

Dharma of service includes proactive goodwill: not merely completing orders, but advancing the rightful aims of the leader and the mission.

What is the narrative situation?

A graded evaluation of servants is being taught, using Hanumān implicitly as the highest standard.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Proactive responsibility—intelligence and initiative aligned with the master’s righteous interest.