तापसाश्रममण्डलदर्शनम्
Entering Dandaka and Meeting the Sages
इन्द्रस्येह चतुर्भागः प्रजा रक्षति राघव।राजा तस्माद्वरान्भोगान्रम्यान् भुङक्तेलोकनमस्कृतः।।।।
indrasyeha caturbhāgaḥ prajā rakṣati rāghava | rājā tasmād varān bhogān ramyān bhuṅkte lokanamaskṛtaḥ ||
اے راغھو! اس دنیا میں کہا جاتا ہے کہ راجا کے پاس اندر کی قوت کا چوتھا حصہ ہوتا ہے، کیونکہ وہ رعایا کی حفاظت کرتا ہے؛ اسی لیے دنیا اسے سجدۂ تعظیم کرتی ہے اور وہ بہترین، دلکش بھوگ و ثواب سے بہرہ ور ہوتا ہے۔
O Rama, in this world a king is considered the fourth part of Indra as he protects the people. Therefore, he is respected and he enjoys the choicest pleasures of life.
Legitimacy through protection: a king’s honor and prosperity are ethically grounded in safeguarding the subjects (prajā-rakṣaṇa), aligning power with responsibility.
The sages continue their discourse on rājadharma, explaining why kings are revered and enjoy privileges—because they protect society.
Protective leadership: the ideal ruler earns reverence not by birth alone but by steadfast guardianship of the people and commitment to dharma.