The fourteen failings of Ruler as per Ramayana are:
- Atheism - The ruler can be a non believer, that is a personal choice, but he cannot impose it on this subjects.
- Dissimulation - The act of deceiving will soon result in the death of the ruler.
- Inattention
- Anger
- Ego
- Procrastination
- Lack of discrimination in companionship
- Gratification of senses
- Disregard of counsel
- Consultation with those who advocate what is ill advised.
- Failure to carry out what has been decided.
- Disclosure of council received
- Omission of sacred practice in the early morning
- Desire to enter into combat with all thy foes at the same time.
Atheism: While a ruler may personally choose not to believe
in a higher power, forcing such beliefs onto subjects undermines their freedom
of faith and can lead to unrest within the kingdom.
Dissimulation: Deceiving one's subjects or allies eventually
erodes trust and can lead to rebellion or even assassination attempts,
ultimately endangering the ruler's life and stability of the realm.
Inattention: Neglecting the needs and concerns of the people
can result in widespread dissatisfaction and unrest, weakening the ruler's hold
on power and paving the way for upheaval.
Anger: Allowing anger to govern decision-making can lead to
impulsive and irrational actions that harm both the ruler and the kingdom,
fostering a climate of fear and instability.
Ego: Allowing personal pride and vanity to guide decisions
can blind the ruler to the needs of the kingdom and result in self-destructive
behaviors that undermine governance and stability.
Procrastination: Delaying important decisions or actions can
exacerbate problems and weaken the ruler's authority, allowing crises to
escalate and undermining confidence in leadership.
Lack of discrimination in companionship: Surrounding oneself
with untrustworthy or incompetent advisors can lead to poor decision-making and
ultimately jeopardize the ruler's reign.
Gratification of senses: Indulging in hedonistic pursuits at
the expense of duty and responsibility can weaken the ruler's resolve and
undermine their ability to govern effectively.
Disregard of counsel: Ignoring the advice of wise counselors
or experienced advisors can lead to costly mistakes and missed opportunities,
eroding trust and confidence in the ruler's leadership.
Consultation with ill-advised advisors: Seeking counsel from
those who promote harmful or unethical courses of action can lead to disastrous
consequences for both the ruler and the kingdom.
Failure to implement decisions: Failing to follow through on
decisions can erode confidence in the ruler's authority and undermine the
effectiveness of governance, leading to chaos and instability.
Disclosure of confidential counsel: Betraying the trust of
advisors by revealing confidential information can damage relationships and
lead to a loss of valuable insight and support.
Neglect of sacred practices: Failing to uphold rituals or
traditions important to the spiritual well-being of the kingdom can lead to a
loss of divine favor and weaken the ruler's legitimacy.
Desire for simultaneous confrontation: Seeking to engage in multiple conflicts simultaneously spreads resources thin and weakens the ruler's ability to effectively address any one threat, risking defeat and destabilization of the realm.