Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 45, Shloka 31
अयोध्यावासिजनानुरागः
The People and Brahmins Follow Rama toward Exile
निश्चेष्टाहारसञ्चारा वृक्षैकस्थानविष्ठिताः।पक्षिणोऽपि प्रयाचन्ते सर्वभूतानुकम्पिनम्।।।।
niśceṣṭāhārasañcārā vṛkṣaikasthānaviṣṭhitāḥ | pakṣiṇo 'pi prayācante sarvabhūtānukampinam ||
Even the birds, ceasing their search for food and sitting motionless in one place upon the trees, seem to implore him—the one compassionate to all beings.
Even the birds instead of foraging for food are sitting motionless on the trees at one place. They are imploring you, you who are compassionate to all creatures, to return to Ayodhya.
FAQs
Compassion is a hallmark of dharma: the righteous are defined by kindness toward all beings, and that compassion draws the world’s trust.
The narration depicts birds halting their normal activity, as if participating in the collective plea for Rama to return.
Universal compassion (sarvabhūtānukampā): benevolence extending beyond humans to all life.