Valmiki Ramayana 2.100.42: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 100, Shloka 42
शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma
Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare
वीरैरध्युषितां पूर्वमस्माकं तात पूर्वकैः।सत्यनामां दृढ द्वारां हस्त्यश्वरथसङ्कुलाम्।।2.100.40।।ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यै स्स्वकर्मनिरतैस्सदा।जितेन्द्रियैर्महोत्साहैर्वृतामार्यै स्सहस्रशः।।2.100.41।।प्रासादैर्विविधाकारैर्वृतां वैद्यजनाकुलाम्।कच्चित्सुमुदितां स्फीतामयोध्यां परिरक्षसि।।2.100.42।।
vīrair adhyuṣitāṃ pūrvam asmākaṃ tāta pūrvakaiḥ |
satyanāmāṃ dṛḍha-dvārāṃ hasty-aśva-ratha-saṅkulām ||
brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatriyaiḥ vaiśyaiḥ sva-karma-nirataiḥ sadā |
jitendriyaiḥ mahotsāhaiḥ vṛtām āryaiḥ sahasraśaḥ ||
prāsādaiḥ vividha-ākāraiḥ vṛtāṃ vaidyajana-ākulām |
kaccit sumuditāṃ sphītām ayodhyāṃ parirakṣasi ||
भाई, मैं उम्मीद करता हूँ कि तुम अयोध्या को अच्छे से संभाल रहे हो। हमारे पुरखे इस शहर को बसाए थे। वो बड़े वीर थे। शहर के दरवाज़े मज़बूत हैं। वहाँ हाथी, घोड़े और रथ बहुत हैं। ब्राह्मण, क्षत्रिय और वैश्य लोग अपना काम करते हैं। उन पर बहुत लोग हैं। महल अलग-अलग डिज़ाइन के हैं। डॉक्टर और पढ़े-लिखे लोग भी हैं। शहर खुश है और आगे बढ़ रहा है।
My dear brother I trust you are protecting the (impregnable) city of Ayodhya worthy of its name, formerly defended by our heroic ancestors, with its sturdy gates, its elephants, horses and chariots, its thousands of venerable, selfcontrolled and highly energetic brahmins, kshatriyas and vaisyas engaged in their respective professions, filled with palaces of various kinds, abounding in learned people and a prosperous city where everything is available in abundance.
FAQs
Rājadharma: the ruler’s foremost duty is protection and flourishing of the capital and its people—security, prosperity, and the orderly performance of social duties.
Rāma questions Bharata about the welfare and protection of Ayodhyā, emphasizing civic security, prosperity, and disciplined social life.
Responsible leadership and vigilance—Bharata is expected to protect the city and uphold a stable, dharmic social order.
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