पालत राज यों राजा राम धरमधुरीन। सावधान, सुजान, सब दिन रहत नय-लयलीन॥ १ ॥ स्वान-खग-जति-न्याउ देख्यो आपु बैठि प्रबीन। नीचु हति महिदेव-बालक कियो मीचुबिहीन॥ २ ॥ भरत ज्यों अनुकूल जग निरुपाधि नेह नवीन। सकल चाहत रामही, ज्यों जल अगाधहि मीन॥ ३ ॥ गाइ राज-समाज जाँचत दास तुलसी दीन। लेहु निज करि, देहु निज-पद-प्रेमपावन पीन॥ ४ ॥
Thus King Rāma, bearer of dharma's burden, governs his realm—vigilant, wise, and ever absorbed in righteous policy. (1) The discerning Lord personally sat in judgment over the dog, the bird, and the ascetic; he struck down the low offender and restored the brahmin's child from death. (2) Like Bharata, the whole world loved the Lord with causeless, ever-new affection. Everyone desired Rāma alone, as fish desire only unfathomable water. (3) Having sung of the royal assembly, poor servant Tulsī petitions: take me as your own and give me the purifying, steadfast love of your feet. (4)