Valmiki Ramayana 2.100.28: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 100, Shloka 28
शततमः सर्गः · Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma
Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare
कच्चित्त्वां नावजानन्ति याजकाः पतितं यथा ।
उग्रप्रतिग्रहीतारं कामयानमिव स्त्रियः ॥२८॥
kaccit tvāṁ nāvajānanti yājakāḥ patitaṁ yathā |
ugra-pratigrahītāraṁ kāmayānam iva striyaḥ ||28||
पंडित लोग तुम्हे नीच ना समझ रहे हैं? जैसे कोई गिर गया हो। और औरतें तुम्हे बुरा ना भक्ति हैं, जैसे कोई लालच में पड़ गया हो?
Just like a performer of sacrifice scorns at an outcaste or a woman scorns at a lustful lover, do the subjects not scorn you for collecting taxes more than what is due?
FAQs
Dharma in rulership includes restraint in revenue and conduct: a king must not become infamous for wrongful taking (adharma in collection) or for uncontrolled desire; social trust is a moral asset.
Rāma continues his examination of Bharata’s kingship, asking whether respected social groups hold him in esteem and whether his conduct is beyond reproach.
Bharata is implicitly urged toward integrity (śīla) and moderation—so that the righteous (priests) and society at large do not lose respect.
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