Traditional Rajadharma (Sanskrit: राजधर्म, romanized: rājadharma) is the Sanskrit term for the duty of the king or emperor.
[1] The concept of the rajadharma is extensively discussed in the genre of Hindu literature called the Dharmashastras.
[2] Rajadharma referred to the obligations of a king or emperor towards his subjects, to ensure their prosperity and peace during his reign.
[3][4] The primary duty of a monarch was regarded to be the protection of his subjects, a role that included providing a sense of security for them by punishing criminals such as thieves and other wrongdoers, as well as defending the kingdom or empire from invaders.
[6] According to the Ramayana, the right to rule of kings and their divine status went hand-in-hand with the performance of their rajadharma.