Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 47, Shloka 12
अयोध्यायाः पौरविलापः
Lament of the Citizens of Ayodhya on Rama’s Absence
इतीव बहुधा वाचो बाहुमुद्यम्य ते जनाः।विलपन्ति स्म दुःखार्ता विवत्सा इव धेनवः।।।।
itīva bahudhā vāco bāhum udyamya te janāḥ | vilapanti sma duḥkhārtā vivatsā iva dhenavaḥ || 2.47.12 ||
Speaking in many such ways and raising their arms, those people—tormented by sorrow—lamented like cows bereft of their calves.
All of them with grief distressed, and with their arms thrown up lamented like cows deprived of their calves.
FAQs
The verse highlights righteous attachment: the people’s grief is not mere sentiment but a response to the loss of a dhārmic protector, revealing the ethical bond between society and virtue.
The citizens express intense grief through cries and gestures after failing to remain with Rama.
The people’s devotion and sincerity—an uncalculated love for righteousness embodied in Rama.