Shloka 55
शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma
Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare
देवतार्थे च पित्रर्थेब्राह्मणाभ्यागतेषु च।योधेषु मित्रवर्गेषु कच्चिद्गच्छति ते व्ययः।।।।
devatārthe ca pitrarthe brāhmaṇābhyāgateṣu ca | yodheṣu mitravargeṣu kaccid gacchati te vyayaḥ ||
Adakah perbelanjaanmu tertuju pada kewajipan yang benar: persembahan bagi para dewa dan leluhur, sokongan kepada brahmana dan tetamu, serta pemberian yang wajar kepada para pahlawan dan sahabat sekutu?
I trust, you are spending only on gods, ancestors, brahmins, guests, warriors and hosts of friends.
FAQs
Public wealth should be spent according to dharma: sustaining sacred duties, hospitality, learned communities, defense, and loyal alliances—rather than indulgence or corruption.
Rama assesses whether Bharata’s rule aligns with traditional duties of a righteous king, especially in allocating expenditures.
Duty-bound generosity and accountable stewardship—supporting religion, society, and security.