Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 109, Shloka 9
सत्यधर्मप्रतिपादनम्
Rama’s Defense of Truth and Dharma in Reply to Jabali
कामवृत्तस्त्वयं लोकः कृत्स्न स्समुपवर्तते।यद्वृत्ता स्सन्ति राजानस्तद्वृत्ता स्सन्ति हि प्रजाः।।2.109.9।।
kāmavṛttas tv ayaṃ lokaḥ kṛtsnaḥ samupavartate | yad-vṛttāḥ santi rājānas tad-vṛttāḥ santi hi prajāḥ || 2.109.9 ||
Este mundo inteiro age segundo os seus próprios impulsos; e, de fato, os súditos assumem a mesma conduta que seus reis demonstram.
The entire world conducts itself as per its own sweet will. Therefore the subjects will follow the same path as their kings.
FAQs
Rājadharma: the ruler’s conduct shapes the moral life of society; therefore a king must restrain desire and embody dharma so that the people are guided toward right action.
A reflective statement in Ayodhyākāṇḍa emphasizing governance: the speaker explains that public behavior mirrors royal behavior, underscoring the stakes of a king’s choices.
Self-restraint and exemplary leadership—living by dharma so that one becomes a trustworthy model for others.