Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 100, Shloka 49
शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma
Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare
कच्चिस्त्रिय स्सान्त्वयसि कच्चित्ताश्च सुरक्षिताः।कच्चिन्न श्रद्धास्यासां कच्चिद्गुह्यं न भाषसे।।।।
kaccit striyaḥ sāntvayasi kaccit tāś ca surakṣitāḥ |
kaccin na śraddhāsy āsāṃ kaccid guhyaṃ na bhāṣase || 2.100.49 ||
ਕੀ ਤੂੰ ਇਸਤਰੀਆਂ ਨੂੰ ਸਾਂਤਵਨਾ ਦਿੰਦਾ ਹੈਂ ਅਤੇ ਕੀ ਉਹ ਚੰਗੀ ਤਰ੍ਹਾਂ ਸੁਰੱਖਿਅਤ ਹਨ? ਅਤੇ ਕੀ ਤੂੰ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਦੀਆਂ ਗੱਲਾਂ ਉੱਤੇ ਅਤਿ ਵਿਸ਼ਵਾਸ ਨਹੀਂ ਕਰਦਾ ਅਤੇ ਉਨ੍ਹਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਗੁਪਤ ਭੇਦ ਨਹੀਂ ਦੱਸਦਾ?
I trust, you keep the women pacified and well-protected, you do not believe their words and do not divulge any secrets to them.
FAQs
Dharma in governance includes both protection and discretion: safeguarding dependents while maintaining confidentiality and not letting private counsel destabilize state decisions.
Rāma continues advising Bharata on palace conduct—how to keep harmony and safety while guarding state secrets.
Self-control and prudence: a ruler must be compassionate in conduct yet disciplined about trust and confidential matters.