Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 100, Shloka 57
शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma
Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare
गृहीतश्चैव पृष्टश्च काले दृष्टस्सकारणः।कच्चिन्न मुच्यते चोरो धनलोभान्नरर्षभ।।।।
gṛhītaś caiva pṛṣṭaś ca kāle dṛṣṭaḥ sakāraṇaḥ | kaccin na mucyate coro dhanalobhān nararṣabha ||
हे नरश्रेष्ठ! जो चोर वेळेवर पकडला गेला, अटक करून चौकशीने व पुराव्याने दोषी ठरला—तो केवळ धनलोभामुळे कुठे सोडून दिला जात नाही ना?
O best among men! I trust that a thief, caught red-handed and interrogated and has sufficient proof is not set free, out of greed for money.
FAQs
Rule of law: proven wrongdoing should not be excused through bribery or royal greed; impartial enforcement sustains social order.
Rama checks whether Bharata prevents corruption in criminal justice—specifically, the release of guilty persons for money.
Integrity in governance—incorruptibility and consistent application of punishment.