Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 114, Shloka 9
अयोध्याप्रवेशः
Bharata Enters Ayodhya and Perceives the City’s Desolation
गोष्ठमध्ये स्थितामार्तामचरन्तीं तृणं नवम्। गोवृषेण परित्यक्तां गवां पक्तिमिवोत्सुकाम्।।2.114.9।।
goṣṭhamadhye sthitām ārtām acarantīṃ tṛṇaṃ navam | govṛṣeṇa parityaktāṃ gavāṃ paktim ivotsukām || 2.114.9 ||
It was like a row of cows in the middle of the herd—anguished, no longer grazing the fresh grass—forsaken by the bull and yearning restlessly.
the midst of the herd despairs and no longer grazes the new grass.
FAQs
The verse underscores the king’s dharma as protector and sustainer: when the rightful guardian is absent, the community becomes anxious and unable to enjoy even available prosperity (like fresh grass).
Ayodhyā’s people are portrayed as bereft and listless after Rāma’s departure, through the image of cows abandoned by the bull.
Rāma’s protective, stabilizing kingship-virtue is implied—his absence produces insecurity and yearning among the people.