Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 100, Shloka 42
शततमः सर्गः — Rāma Questions Bharata on Rājadharma
Governance, Counsel, and Public Welfare
वीरैरध्युषितां पूर्वमस्माकं तात पूर्वकैः।सत्यनामां दृढ द्वारां हस्त्यश्वरथसङ्कुलाम्।।2.100.40।।ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यै स्स्वकर्मनिरतैस्सदा।जितेन्द्रियैर्महोत्साहैर्वृतामार्यै स्सहस्रशः।।2.100.41।।प्रासादैर्विविधाकारैर्वृतां वैद्यजनाकुलाम्।कच्चित्सुमुदितां स्फीतामयोध्यां परिरक्षसि।।2.100.42।।
vīrair adhyuṣitāṃ pūrvam asmākaṃ tāta pūrvakaiḥ |
satyanāmāṃ dṛḍha-dvārāṃ hasty-aśva-ratha-saṅkulām ||
brāhmaṇaiḥ kṣatriyaiḥ vaiśyaiḥ sva-karma-nirataiḥ sadā |
jitendriyaiḥ mahotsāhaiḥ vṛtām āryaiḥ sahasraśaḥ ||
prāsādaiḥ vividha-ākāraiḥ vṛtāṃ vaidyajana-ākulām |
kaccit sumuditāṃ sphītām ayodhyāṃ parirakṣasi ||
亲爱的兄长，我愿你守护阿踰陀城——名副其实——昔日为我等英勇先祖所居所卫；城门坚固，象马车乘云集；成千上万的贤良之士环绕其间，克制诸根、志气高昂——婆罗门、刹帝利与吠舍——恒常安住于各自本分；又有形制各异的宫殿庄严，医者与学者众多，城中欢悦，国势昌盛。
My dear brother I trust you are protecting the (impregnable) city of Ayodhya worthy of its name, formerly defended by our heroic ancestors, with its sturdy gates, its elephants, horses and chariots, its thousands of venerable, selfcontrolled and highly energetic brahmins, kshatriyas and vaisyas engaged in their respective professions, filled with palaces of various kinds, abounding in learned people and a prosperous city where everything is available in abundance.
FAQs
Rājadharma: the ruler’s foremost duty is protection and flourishing of the capital and its people—security, prosperity, and the orderly performance of social duties.
Rāma questions Bharata about the welfare and protection of Ayodhyā, emphasizing civic security, prosperity, and disciplined social life.
Responsible leadership and vigilance—Bharata is expected to protect the city and uphold a stable, dharmic social order.