Thereupon having performed the morning rites the lotus-eyed Rāma, in the
early morning, sat on his royal throne and in the company of Brāhmanas
and citizens engaged in looking into state affairs. The assembly
consisted of the priest Vasishtha, the saint Kashyapa, ministers well
versed in politics, other religious preceptors, moralists, members and
kings. The assembly of Rāma, of unwearied, actions appeared like that of
Mahendra, Yama and Varuna. Rāma said to Lakshmana, gifted with
auspicious marks "O Saumitri having long arms, do thou proceed to the
city-gate to receive those who have come here for business." According
to Rāma’s command Lakshmana, gifted with auspicious mark, arrived at the
gate and called those who had come there for business. But none said
that he had been brought there by any business. For there was neither
disease nor poverty in the kingdom. During Rāma’s regime the earth was
filled with corns and _Asadhis_. Children young men and middle-aged
people did not meet with death. The earth was governed piously so there
was no obstacle. Thus during the administration of Rāma none was seen
who wanted justice. Lakshmana, with folded hands, said to Rāma, "None
has come for business." Thereat, Rāma, with a delighted heart,
replied—"Do thou go, O Saumitri, and see if any one has come for
business. Royal policy if properly adopted, impiety can stand nowhere.
It is for the fear of the king that people protect one another. And
although laws, instituted by me are protecting the subjects like so many
arrows, still, O thou having long arms, do thou be engaged in governing
the subjects." Being thus addressed Lakshmana issued out of the house
and saw that a dog was waiting at the gate. Casting its looks around it
was again and again barking. Beholding it in that plight the valiant
Lakshmana said "O generous sir, what business has brought thee hither—do
thou relate it confidentially." Hearing the words of Lakshmana the dog
replied—"I wish to relate it unto Rāma, of unwearied actions, who is the
refuge of all creatures and who declares fearlessness unto all." Hearing
the words of the dog Lakshmana entered the beautiful palace to relate it
unto Rāma. And having communicated it unto Rāma he issued out and said
to the dog:—"If thou hast anything true to speak thou mayst come and
communicate it unto the king." Hearing the words of Lakshmana the dog
said—"We cannot enter into the houses of divinities, kings and Brāhmanas
nor can we go there where is fire, Indra, the sun or the wind, for we
are the vilest born; so I cannot enter there. For king is the
personification of virtue and specially the king Rāma is truthful, well
versed in the science of fighting and ever engaged in the welfare of all
beings. He is perfectly cognizant of where the six qualities are to be
applied—master of morality, knoweth all, seeth all and the best of
beautiful. He is the moon, death, Yama, Kuvera, the giver of riches,
fire, Indra, the sun and Varuna. O Saumitri, do thou go and communicate
unto the king protecting his subjects that without his permission I do
not wish to go there." Thereupon the highly effulgent and noble-minded
Lakshmana entered the palace and said to Rāma:—"O thou having long arms,
O thou the enhancer of Kausalyā’s joy—I have communicated thine orders—I
shall relate shortly everything regarding that; do thou hear. That dog,
as a beggar, is waiting at the gate for thy commands." Whereto Rāma
replied:—"Bring him speedily here who is waiting at the gate for
business."