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Raja Dharma regulated the power and duties of the Raja. The Atrisamhita declared that there were five fundamental duties of a Raja.<blockquote>दुष्टस्य दण्डः सुजनस्य पूजा न्यायेन कोषस्य च संप्रवृद्धिः । अपक्षपातोऽर्थिषु राष्ट्ररक्षा पञ्चैतेव यज्ञाः कथिता नृपाणाम् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>''duṣṭasya daṇḍaḥ sujanasya pūjā nyāyena koṣasya ca saṁpravr̥ddhiḥ । apakṣapāto'rthiṣu rāṣṭrarakṣā pañcaiteva yajñāḥ kathitā nr̥pāṇām ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : To punish the wicked, to honour (protect) the good, to enrich the treasury by just methods, to be impartial towards the litigants and to protect the Rajya - these are the five yajnas (selfless duties) to be performed by a Raja.

Raja Dharma regulated the power and duties of the Raja. The Atrisamhita declared that there were five fundamental duties of a Raja.<blockquote>दुष्टस्य दण्डः सुजनस्य पूजा न्यायेन कोषस्य च संप्रवृद्धिः । अपक्षपातोऽर्थिषु राष्ट्ररक्षा पञ्चैतेव यज्ञाः कथिता नृपाणाम् ॥</blockquote><blockquote>''duṣṭasya daṇḍaḥ sujanasya pūjā nyāyena koṣasya ca saṁpravr̥ddhiḥ । apakṣapāto'rthiṣu rāṣṭrarakṣā pañcaiteva yajñāḥ kathitā nr̥pāṇām ॥''</blockquote>Meaning : To punish the wicked, to honour (protect) the good, to enrich the treasury by just methods, to be impartial towards the litigants and to protect the Rajya - these are the five yajnas (selfless duties) to be performed by a Raja.

It was mandatory for the Raja to give equal protection to all his subjects without discrimination. On this subject, Manusmrti on Raja Dharma says,<blockquote>यथा सर्वाणि भूतानि धरा धारयते समम् । तथा सर्वाणि भूतानि बिभ्रतः पार्थिवं व्रतम् । । ९.३११ । ।<ref name=":1">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 9].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''yathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni dharā dhārayatē samam । tathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni bibhrataḥ pārthivaṁ vratam । । 9.311 । ।''</blockquote>Meaning : Just as the mother earth gives equal support to all the living beings, a Raja should give support to all without any discrimination.

It was mandatory for the Raja to give equal protection to all his subjects without discrimination. On this subject, Manusmrti on Raja Dharma<ref name=":0" /> says,<blockquote>यथा सर्वाणि भूतानि धरा धारयते समम् । तथा सर्वाणि भूतानि बिभ्रतः पार्थिवं व्रतम् । । ९.३११ । ।<ref name=":1">Manusmrti, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A5%81%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8B%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83 Adhyaya 9].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''yathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni dharā dhārayatē samam । tathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni bibhrataḥ pārthivaṁ vratam । । 9.311 । ।''</blockquote>Meaning : Just as the mother earth gives equal support to all the living beings, a Raja should give support to all without any discrimination.

In fact, the Narada Smrti states that,<blockquote>पाषण्डनैगमश्रेणी पूगव्रातगणादिषु । संरक्षेत्समयं राजा दुर्गे जनपदे तथा ॥१०.२॥<ref>Narada Smrti, Vyavahara Padani, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE Samasyanapakarma].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''pāṣāṇḍanaigamaśrēṇīpūgavrātagaṇādiṣu | saṁrakṣētsamayaṁ rājā durgē janapadē tathā ||''</blockquote>Meaning : The Raja should afford protection to compacts of associations of believers of Veda (Naigamas) as also of disbelievers in Veda (Pashandis) and of others.

In fact, the Narada Smrti states<ref name=":0" /> that,<blockquote>पाषण्डनैगमश्रेणी पूगव्रातगणादिषु । संरक्षेत्समयं राजा दुर्गे जनपदे तथा ॥१०.२॥<ref>Narada Smrti, Vyavahara Padani, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%83%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%83/%E0%A4%B5%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B5%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%A6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%BF/%E0%A4%B8%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%A8%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AE Samasyanapakarma].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''pāṣāṇḍanaigamaśrēṇīpūgavrātagaṇādiṣu | saṁrakṣētsamayaṁ rājā durgē janapadē tathā ||''</blockquote>Meaning : The Raja should afford protection to compacts of associations of believers of Veda (Naigamas) as also of disbelievers in Veda (Pashandis) and of others.

This shows that in a land where the Vedas were regarded as Supreme, the disbelievers in the vedas were also to be respected and protected.<ref name=":0" />

This shows that in a land where the Vedas were regarded as Supreme, the non-believers in the vedas were also to be respected and protected.

Further more, Kamandaka specifically called upon the Rulers to protect people against his officers and favourites. He says,<blockquote>आयुक्तकेभ्यश्चौरेभ्यः परेभ्यो राजवल्लभात् | पृथिवीपतिलोभाच्च प्रजानां पञ्चधा भयम् ||5.8.81|| पञ्चप्रकारमप्येतदपोह्य नृपतिर्भयम् |<ref>T. Ganapati Sastri (1912), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.281069/page/n113/mode/2up Nitisara of Kamandaka], Trivandrum Sanskrit Series no.14, Trivandrum.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''āyuktakebhyaścaurebhyaḥ parebhyo rājavallabhāt | pr̥thivīpatilobhācca prajānāṁ pañcadhā bhayam ||5.8.81|| pañcaprakāramapyetadapohya nr̥patirbhayam |''</blockquote>Meaning: The subjects require protection against wicked officers of the Raja, thieves, enemies of the Raja, royal favourites (such as the queen, princes etc.), and more than all, against the greed of the Raja himself. The Raja should ensure that the people are free from these fears.

Further more, Kamandaka specifically called upon the Rulers to protect people against his officers and favourites.<ref name=":0" /> He says,<blockquote>आयुक्तकेभ्यश्चौरेभ्यः परेभ्यो राजवल्लभात् | पृथिवीपतिलोभाच्च प्रजानां पञ्चधा भयम् ||5.8.81|| पञ्चप्रकारमप्येतदपोह्य नृपतिर्भयम् |<ref>T. Ganapati Sastri (1912), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.281069/page/n113/mode/2up Nitisara of Kamandaka], Trivandrum Sanskrit Series no.14, Trivandrum.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''āyuktakebhyaścaurebhyaḥ parebhyo rājavallabhāt | pr̥thivīpatilobhācca prajānāṁ pañcadhā bhayam ||5.8.81|| pañcaprakāramapyetadapohya nr̥patirbhayam |''</blockquote>Meaning: The subjects require protection against wicked officers of the Raja, thieves, enemies of the Raja, royal favourites (such as the queen, princes etc.), and more than all, against the greed of the Raja himself. The Raja should ensure that the people are free from these fears.

In this context, an illuminating case recorded in the Rajatarangini.   

In this context, an illuminating case is recorded in the Rajatarangini.   

===King Chandrapida and the Cobbler===

===चन्द्रापीडस्य राजधर्मानुरोधः ॥ Chandrapida's Conformity to Raja Dharma===

The following story from the Rajatarangini describes how Chandrapida, the Raja of Kashmir, gave protection to a poor 'charmakara' (cobbler) from the intended action of his own officers.  

The following story from the Rajatarangini describes how Chandrapida, the Raja of Kashmir, gave protection to a poor 'charmakara' (cobbler) from the intended action of his own officers.  

According to the story, the officers of the Raja undertook construction of a temple of Lord Tribuvanaswami on a certain site. On a portion of that site there was a hut belonging to a charmakara (cobbler). He refused to remove his hut in spite of being asked to do so by the Raja's officers. Thereupon the officers complained to the Raja about the stubbornness of the charmakara. However, to their surprise, the officers got a rebuff from the Raja, who censured them for lack of foresight in encroaching upon the site belonging to the charmakara and starting construction without taking his consent. The Raja ordered thus,<blockquote>नियम्यतां विनिर्माणं यद्वान्यत्र विधीयताम् | परभूम्यपहारेण सुकृतं कः कलङ्कयेत् ||4.59||</blockquote><blockquote>ये द्रष्टारः सदसतां ते धर्मविगुणाः क्रियाः | वयमेव विदध्मश्चेत् यातु न्यायेन कोऽध्वना ||4.60||<ref name=":4">Durgaprasada (1892), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.424373/page/n107/mode/2up The Rajatarangini of Kalhana], Vol. I (Tarangas I to VII), Bombay: Government Central Book Depot.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''niyamyatāṁ vinirmāṇaṁ yadvānyatra vidhīyatām | parabhūmyapahāreṇa sukr̥taṁ kaḥ kalaṅkayet ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''ye draṣṭāraḥ sadasatāṁ te dharmaviguṇāḥ kriyāḥ | vayameva vidadhmaścet yātu nyāyena ko'dhvanā ||''</blockquote>Meaning:  

According to the story, the officers of the Raja undertook construction of a temple of Lord Tribhuvanaswami on a certain site. On a portion of that site there was a hut belonging to a charmakara (cobbler). He refused to remove his hut in spite of being asked to do so by the Raja's officers. Thereupon, the officers complained to the Raja about the stubbornness of the charmakara. However, to their surprise, the officers got a rebuff from the Raja, who censured them for lack of foresight in encroaching upon the site belonging to the charmakara and starting construction without taking his consent. The Raja ordered<ref name=":0" /> thus,<blockquote>नियम्यतां विनिर्माणं यद्वान्यत्र विधीयताम् | परभूम्यपहारेण सुकृतं कः कलङ्कयेत् ||4.59||</blockquote><blockquote>ये द्रष्टारः सदसतां ते धर्मविगुणाः क्रियाः | वयमेव विदध्मश्चेत् यातु न्यायेन कोऽध्वना ||4.60||<ref name=":4">Durgaprasada (1892), [https://archive.org/details/in.ernet.dli.2015.424373/page/n107/mode/2up The Rajatarangini of Kalhana], Vol. I (Tarangas I to VII), Bombay: Government Central Book Depot.</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''niyamyatāṁ vinirmāṇaṁ yadvānyatra vidhīyatām | parabhūmyapahāreṇa sukr̥taṁ kaḥ kalaṅkayet ||''</blockquote><blockquote>''ye draṣṭāraḥ sadasatāṁ te dharmaviguṇāḥ kriyāḥ | vayameva vidadhmaścet yātu nyāyena ko'dhvanā ||''</blockquote>Meaning:  

Stop construction or build (the temple) somewhere else. Who would tarnish such a pious act by illegally depriving a man of his land ?

Stop construction or build (the temple) somewhere else. Who would tarnish such a pious act by illegally depriving a man of his land ?

The story further continues with the charmakara getting an audience with the Raja at his own request where he says, "What the palace is to Your Majesty, the hut is to me. I could not bear to see its demolition. You can very well appreciate the plight of a man who is deprived of his dwelling. However, if your majesty were to come to my hut and ask for it, I shall give it up having due regard to the code of good manners."

The story further continues with the charmakara getting an audience with the Raja at his own request where he says, "What the palace is to Your Majesty, the hut is to me. I could not bear to see its demolition. You can very well appreciate the plight of a man who is deprived of his dwelling. However, if your majesty were to come to my hut and ask for it, I shall give it up having due regard to the code of good manners."

The Raja also, with all humility, then goes to the charmakara's hut and with his consent purchases the hut by paying a price which was far more than the expectation of the Charmakara. The charmakara being entirely satisfied, said to the Raja with folded hands that,<blockquote>राजधर्मानुरोधेन परवत्ता तवोचिता ||4.75||... स्वस्ति तुभ्यं चिरं स्थेया धर्म्या वृत्तान्तपद्धतीः | दर्शयन्नीदृशीः शुद्धाः श्रद्धेया धर्मचारिणाम् ||4.77||<ref name=":4" /> </blockquote><blockquote>''rājadharmānurodhena paravattā tavocitā ||4.75||... svasti tubhyaṁ ciraṁ stheyā dharmyā vr̥ttāntapaddhatīḥ | darśayannīdr̥śīḥ śuddhāḥ śraddheyā dharmacāriṇām ||4.77||''</blockquote>Meaning: Yielding to another (however low), adhering to the principles of Raja Dharrna, is the appropriate course for a Raja. I wish you well. May you live long, establishing the supremacy of the law (Dharma). Seeing in you such faith in Dharma, others will also act accordingly.

The Raja also, with all humility, then goes to the charmakara's hut and with his consent purchases the hut by paying a price which was far more than the expectation of the charmakara. The charmakara being entirely satisfied, said to the Raja with folded hands<ref name=":0" /> that,<blockquote>राजधर्मानुरोधेन परवत्ता तवोचिता ||4.75||... स्वस्ति तुभ्यं चिरं स्थेया धर्म्या वृत्तान्तपद्धतीः | दर्शयन्नीदृशीः शुद्धाः श्रद्धेया धर्मचारिणाम् ||4.77||<ref name=":4" /> </blockquote><blockquote>''rājadharmānurodhena paravattā tavocitā ||4.75||... svasti tubhyaṁ ciraṁ stheyā dharmyā vr̥ttāntapaddhatīḥ | darśayannīdr̥śīḥ śuddhāḥ śraddheyā dharmacāriṇām ||4.77||''</blockquote>Meaning: Yielding to another (however low), adhering to the principles of Raja Dharrna, is the appropriate course for a Raja. I wish you well. May you live long, establishing the supremacy of the law (Dharma). Seeing in you, such faith in Dharma, others will also act accordingly.

This account in the Rajatarangini is an inspiring example of the Raja upholding the rule of law at his own initiative thereby, granting relief to a poor man against the arbitrary action of his own officers. It establishes that the commendation of a poor subject is more valuable to a Raja than the flattery of selfish individuals.

This account in the Rajatarangini is an inspiring example of the Raja upholding the rule of law at his own initiative thereby, granting relief to a poor man against the arbitrary action of his own officers. It establishes that the commendation of a poor subject is more valuable to a Raja than the flattery of selfish individuals.

In conformity with this spirit of Raja Dharma, Kautilya, in his famous "Arthashastra" summed up the duties of the Raja thus,<blockquote>प्रजासुखे सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां च हिते हितम् । नात्मप्रियं हितं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु प्रियं हितम् ॥<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>''prajāsukhē sukhaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ ca hitē hitam | nātmapriyaṁ hitaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ tu priyaṁ hitaṁ ||''</blockquote>Meaning : In the happiness of the subjects lies the ruler's happiness, in their welfare his welfare; what pleases himself the ruler shall not consider good but whatever pleases his subjects the ruler shall consider good.

In conformity with this spirit of Raja Dharma, Kautilya, in his famous "Arthashastra" summed up the duties of the Raja<ref name=":0" /> thus,<blockquote>प्रजासुखे सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां च हिते हितम् । नात्मप्रियं हितं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु प्रियं हितम् ॥<ref name=":5" /></blockquote><blockquote>''prajāsukhē sukhaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ ca hitē hitam | nātmapriyaṁ hitaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ tu priyaṁ hitaṁ ||''</blockquote>Meaning : In the happiness of the subjects lies the ruler's happiness, in their welfare his welfare; what pleases himself the ruler shall not consider good but whatever pleases his subjects the ruler shall consider good.

The Raja was required to conform to this rule of Raja Dharma and act only in the interests of the people and not according to his likes or dislikes or whims and fancies. He was directed not to act erratically or arbitrarily. It was pointed out that his interests and the interests of his subjects were inseparable. What was good for the people was to be regarded good for him irrespective of any disadvantage or inconvenience caused to him.

The Raja was required to conform to this rule of Raja Dharma and act only in the interests of the people and not according to his likes or dislikes or whims and fancies. He was directed not to act erratically or arbitrarily. It was pointed out that his interests and the interests of his subjects were inseparable. What was good for the people was to be regarded good for him irrespective of any disadvantage or inconvenience caused to him.<ref name=":0" />

 

 

The more important aspect relating to assumption of office as Raja at the coronation ceremony was, it was regarded as 'Samskara' for the commencement of selfless discharge of duty as a Raja during his entire tenure of office and not assumption of power. On this aspect K.M.Panikkar observes,<blockquote>''"Great importance was, therefore, attached to the coronation ceremony. Not only was it a dedication to the service of the people but also an affirmation of the covenant between the people and the ruler.''</blockquote><blockquote>''The coronation was a Diksha, a dedication, and a king bearing the crown became a Vrati, i.e., a person devoting his life to a cause (in this case, the service of the people)."''</blockquote>The Mahabharata has expressed this ideal with great clarity and precision. The Shanti Parva says,<blockquote>धर्माय राजा भवति न कामकरणाय तु ।...3<ref>Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-090 Adhyaya 90].</ref> ''dharmāya rājā bhavati na kāmakaraṇāya tu।''</blockquote>Meaning : The proper function of the Raja is to rule according to Dharma (the law) and not to enjoy the luxuries of life.

 

== Importance of Raja Dharma ==

== Importance of Raja Dharma ==

The paramount importance of kingship and the profound influence a Raja has on the state of society has also been crisply expressed in the Mahabharata as follows:<blockquote>कालो वा कारणं राज्ञो राजा वा कालकारणम् । इति ते संशयो माभूद्राजा कालस्य कारणम् ॥6॥<ref>Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-069 Adhyaya 69].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''kālo vā kāraṇaṁ rājño rājā vā kālakāraṇam। iti te saṁśayo mābhūdrājā kālasya kāraṇam।।''</blockquote>Meaning: Whether, it is the Raja who is the maker of the age or the age that makes the Raja is a question about which there is no room for doubt. The Raja is undoubtedly the maker of the age.

The paramount importance of kingship and the profound influence a Raja has on the state of society has also been crisply expressed in the Mahabharata as follows:<blockquote>कालो वा कारणं राज्ञो राजा वा कालकारणम् । इति ते संशयो माभूद्राजा कालस्य कारणम् ॥6॥<ref>Mahabharata, Shanti Parva, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%AE%E0%A4%B9%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AD%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D-12-%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%82%E0%A4%A4%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%AA%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B5-069 Adhyaya 69].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''kālo vā kāraṇaṁ rājño rājā vā kālakāraṇam। iti te saṁśayo mābhūdrājā kālasya kāraṇam।।''</blockquote>Meaning: Whether, it is the Raja who is the maker of the age or the age that makes the Raja is a question about which there is no room for doubt. The Raja is undoubtedly the maker of the age.

Apart from laying down the code of conduct, the Raja was also required to ensure that there was no arbitrariness in state action. In this aspect, Kautilya declared that the welfare of the people was the Raja's chief concern.<blockquote>प्रजासुखे सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां च हिते हितम् । नात्मप्रियं हितं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु प्रियं हितम् ॥०१.१९.३४॥<ref name=":5">Arthashastra, Adhikarana 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AF Adhyaya 19].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''prajāsukhe sukhaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ ca hite hitam । nātmapriyaṁ hitaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ tu priyaṁ hitam ॥01.19.34॥''</blockquote>Meaning: In the happiness of the subjects lies the Ruler's happiness, in their welfare his welfare; what pleases himself the Ruler shall not consider good but whatever pleases his subjects the Ruler shall consider good.

Apart from laying down the code of conduct, the Raja was also required to ensure that there was no arbitrariness in state action. In this aspect, Kautilya declared that the welfare of the people was the Raja's chief concern.<blockquote>प्रजासुखे सुखं राज्ञः प्रजानां च हिते हितम् । नात्मप्रियं हितं राज्ञः प्रजानां तु प्रियं हितम् ॥०१.१९.३४॥<ref name=":5">Arthashastra, Adhikarana 1, [https://sa.wikisource.org/wiki/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%B0%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A5%E0%A4%B6%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%B8%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%A4%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A4%BF%E0%A4%95%E0%A4%B0%E0%A4%A3%E0%A4%AE%E0%A5%8D_%E0%A5%A7/%E0%A4%85%E0%A4%A7%E0%A5%8D%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%BE%E0%A4%AF%E0%A4%83_%E0%A5%A7%E0%A5%AF Adhyaya 19].</ref></blockquote><blockquote>''prajāsukhe sukhaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ ca hite hitam । nātmapriyaṁ hitaṁ rājñaḥ prajānāṁ tu priyaṁ hitam ॥01.19.34॥''</blockquote>Meaning: In the happiness of the subjects lies the Ruler's happiness, in their welfare his welfare; what pleases himself the Ruler shall not consider good but whatever pleases his subjects the Ruler shall consider good.

== Importance of Dharma-abiding nature ==

== Importance of Dharma-abiding nature ==

The various references exemplifies that unless a Dharma-abiding nature is ingrained in the individuals who exercise power of the state, either as ministers or elected representatives or as bureaucrats, the whole social fabric will be torn into pieces. It is only the internal check in the form of Dharma, which can destroy immoral thoughts in the mind of the individuals who exercise state power and inspire them to serve the people, for which purpose they are elected or appointed.

The various references exemplifies that unless a Dharma-abiding nature is ingrained in the individuals who exercise power of the state, either as ministers or elected representatives or as bureaucrats, the whole social fabric will be torn into pieces. It is only the internal check in the form of Dharma, which can destroy immoral thoughts in the mind of the individuals who exercise state power and inspire them to serve the people, for which purpose they are elected or appointed.