Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 100, Shloka 48
शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma
Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare
तेषां गुप्तिपरीहारैः कच्चित्ते भरणं कृतम्।रक्ष्या हि राज्ञा धर्मेण सर्वे विषयवासिनः।।।।
teṣāṃ guptiparīhāraiḥ kaccit te bharaṇaṃ kṛtam |
rakṣyā hi rājñā dharmeṇa sarve viṣayavāsinaḥ || 2.100.48 ||
रक्षण करून व आपत्ती-दुःख दूर करून त्यांचे भरण-पोषण तू केले आहेस काय? कारण धर्माप्रमाणे राज्यातील सर्व विषयवासी प्रजेचे रक्षण करणे हे राजाचेच कर्तव्य आहे।
I trust you nourish them and also afford portection and prevent adversities. A king must protect all those people living in his country in accordanc with righteousness.
FAQs
The king’s dharma is protective care: not only punishing wrongs but proactively preventing suffering and ensuring the people’s basic maintenance.
Rāma instructs/assesses Bharata’s governance, stressing that the ruler is responsible for the safety and welfare of all residents.
Duty-bound compassion (dayā with discipline): governance that combines security measures with righteous responsibility.