Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 3, Shloka 45
यौवराज्याभिषेक-उपकल्पनम्
Preparations for Rama’s Installation as Yuvaraja
कोष्ठागारायुधागारैःकृत्वा सन्निचयान्बहून्।।2.3.44।।तुष्टानुरक्तप्रकृतिर्यः पालयति मेदिनीम्।तस्यनन्दन्ति मित्राणि लब्ध्वाऽमृतमिवामराः।।2.3.45।।तस्मात्त्वमपि चात्मानं नियम्यैवं समाचर।
koṣṭhāgārāyudhāgāraiḥ kṛtvā sannicayān bahūn |
tuṣṭānuraktaprakṛtir yaḥ pālayati medinīm |
tasya nandanti mitrāṇi labdhvā ’mṛtam ivāmarāḥ |
tasmāt tvam api cātmānaṁ niyamyaivaṁ samācara ||
ผู้ใดปกครองแผ่นดิน โดยจัดให้มีเสบียงในยุ้งฉางและคลังอาวุธเป็นอันมาก และทำให้ไพร่ฟ้าประชาราษฎร์พอใจและภักดี—มิตรสหายของผู้นั้นย่อมยินดี ดุจเหล่าเทวะได้อมฤตฉะนั้น เพราะเหตุนั้นท่านเองก็จงสำรวมตน แล้วประพฤติตามอย่างนี้เถิด
You shall rule the earth by filling granaries of foodgrains and arsenals and keeping the subjects loyal and contented. The friends of such a person will memain pleased like devatas with nectar. Hence conduct yourself with your mind under control.
FAQs
Rajadharma is both moral and practical: a ruler must ensure security and welfare (reserves and defense) while maintaining the subjects’ contentment; such dharmic governance naturally attracts loyal allies.
Daśaratha’s counsel to Rāma expands from personal discipline to concrete duties of governance—preparedness, protection, and sustaining public loyalty.
Responsible kingship: foresight (building reserves), protection, and self-restraint—so that power remains aligned with dharma.