Chapter 79 — Uttara Kanda, Sarga 79

Valmiki Ramayana — Uttara Kanda

Verse 79.7

प्रीतोऽस्मि परमोदार कर्ता चासि न संशयः। दण्डेन च प्रजा रक्ष मा च दण्डमकारणे॥

prīto'smi paramodāra kartā cāsi na saṃśayaḥ| daṇḍena ca prajā rakṣa mā ca daṇḍamakāraṇe||

English Meaning

I have been highly pleased with you. For sooth you shall become a very liberal price. You shall govern the subjects meting out proper punishment to them, but do not punish them without any fault.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)