This page has been fully proofread once and needs a second look.

248
 
THE RAMAYANA
 
T
he virtuous-minded, true and just

Bharata, the knower of dharma, artha and

kama and ever devoted to the administra-

tion of chastisement and reward, rules the

earth.
 

 
तस्य धर्मकृतादेशा वयमन्ये च पार्थिवाः ।

चरामो वसुधां कृत्स्नां धर्मसन्तानमिच्छवः ॥
 

We and other princes who are ordered

by him to look after dharma go forth all

over this earth, with the desire to perpe-

tuate righteousness.
 

 
तस्मिन्नृपतिशार्दूले भरते धर्मवत्सले ।

पालयत्यखिलां भूमिं कश्चरेद्धर्मनिग्रहम् ॥
 
"
 

When that foremost of kings, Bharata

the lover of dharma, rules over the whole

earth, who could practise unrighteous-

ness ?
 

 
ते वयं धर्म विभ्रष्टं स्वधर्मे परमे स्थिताः ।

भरताज्ञां पुरस्कृत्य निगृह्णीमो यथाविधि ॥
 

Therefore we, who are rooted in our own

exalted dharma will punish him who has

transgressed dharma, in pursuance of

Bharata's orders and in accordance with

law.