Shloka 18
ताटकावृत्तान्तः
The Account of Tāṭakā and the Royal Duty to Protect
राज्यभारनियुक्तानामेष धर्मस्सनातन:।अधर्म्यां जहि काकुत्स्थ धर्मोह्यस्या न विद्यते।।।।
rājya-bhāra-niyuktānām eṣa dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ | adharmyāṃ jahi kākutstha dharmo hy asyā na vidyate ||
Ito ang walang hanggang dharma ng mga inatasang magpasan ng bigat ng paghahari. O Kakutstha, patayin mo ang di-matuwid na ito; sapagkat sa kanya ay walang dharma.
This is the eternal law binding those who are appointed to bear the burden of a kingdom. O Kakutstha kill her. She knows no dharma.
FAQs
The ‘sanātana’ duty of rulers is to remove forces that are fundamentally adharmic and harmful; justice is part of protection.
Viśvāmitra issues a direct command to Rāma to kill Tātakā, presenting it as the timeless obligation of those bearing royal responsibility.
Courage aligned with justice—acting decisively against adharma.