नृशंसमनृशंसं वा प्रजारक्षणकारणात्। पातकं वा सदोषं वा कर्तव्यं रक्षता सता।।1.25.17।।
Interpretation Layers
Translations & Commentary
1 curated source available for this shloka.
Valmiki Ramayana Dataset
English Translation
रक्षता while protecting, सता by a virtuous man, प्रजारक्षणकारणात् for the welfare of the subjects, नृशंसं वा either cruel, अनृशंसं वा or not cruel ,पातकं वा or a sin, सदोषं वा or involving a mistake, कर्तव्यम् should be done.
English Commentary
Whether cruel or kind, sinful or wrong whatever contributes to the protection of the subjects, should be done by the righteous (king).