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 ||
कच्चित् स्त्रियः सान्त्वयसि कच्चित् ताश्च सुरक्षिताः। कच्चिन्न श्रद्धासि तासां कच्चिद् गुह्यं न भाषसे॥
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.