Valmiki Ramayana 2.100.52: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 100, Shloka 52
शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma
Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare
कच्चिन्न सर्वे कर्मान्ताः प्रत्यक्षास्तेऽविशङ्कया।सर्वे वा पुनरुत्सृष्टा मध्यमेवात्र कारणम्।।।।
kaccin na sarve karmāntāḥ pratyakṣās te 'viśaṅkayā |
sarve vā punar utsṛṣṭā madhyam evātra kāraṇam || 2.100.52 ||
कच्चिन्न सर्वे कर्मान्ताः प्रत्यक्षास्तेऽविशङ्कया, न च सर्वेऽतिदूरेऽपि? अत्र मध्यम एव मार्गः कारणं धर्म्यं मतम्॥
All the servants, I trust, do not present themselves to you directly. At the same time they do not remain out of sight with fear at a distance. The middle course is the best way for the welfare of every one.
FAQs
Dharma in administration is balance: neither excessive familiarity nor fearful distance. The ruler should maintain an appropriate, fair relationship with officials for effective and just governance.
Rāma advises Bharata on managing staff and access—how to prevent both disorder (too much closeness) and oppression (too much fear).
Measured leadership: steadiness and fairness that sustains morale while preserving authority.
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