Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 23
तमसातीरवासः
Night on the Bank of the Tamasa and the Stratagem to Elude the Citizens
पौरा ह्यात्मकृताद्दुःखाद्विप्रमोच्या नृपात्मजैः।न तु खल्वात्मना योज्या दुःखेन पुरवासिनः।।2.46.23।।
paurā hy ātma-kṛtād duḥkhād vipramocyā nṛpātmajaiḥ |
na tu khalv ātmanā yojyā duḥkhena pura-vāsinaḥ ||2.46.23||
Sungguh, para putra raja harus membebaskan warga dari duka yang mereka timbulkan sendiri; namun penduduk kota tidak patut dibuat turut menanggung penderitaan karena diri kita.
The prince should deliver the citizens from the sufferings caused by themselves but should not make them suffer on their account.
FAQs
Rāja-dharma: rulers (and princes) exist to relieve public distress, not to transfer their private burden onto the people.
As Rama prepares for exile, he reflects that the citizens should not be forced into further suffering because of his departure.
Protective leadership and accountability—placing the welfare of subjects above personal circumstance.