Chapter 1 — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 1

Valmiki Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda

Verse 1.8

यो नियुक्तः परं कार्यं न कुर्यान्नृपतेः प्रियम्। भृत्यो युक्तः समर्थश्च तमाहुर्मध्यमं नरम्॥

yo niyuktaḥ paraṃ kāryaṃ na kuryānnṛpateḥ priyam| bhṛtyo yuktaḥ samarthaśca tamāhurmadhyamaṃ naram||

English Meaning

That servant is middling, who, deputed to any task,* do not albeit capable, perform any other work which may be dear to the king. *i.e. performing the entrusted work.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)