Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 51, Shloka 20
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकपञ्चाशः सर्गः — Guha’s Vigil and Lakṣmaṇa’s Lament
Night on the riverbank
सिद्धार्थाः पितरं वृत्तं तस्मिन्कालेऽप्युपस्थिते।प्रेतकार्येषु सर्वेषु संस्करिष्यन्ति भूमिपम्।।।।
siddhārthāḥ pitaraṃ vṛttaṃ tasmin kāle 'py upasthite | pretakāryeṣu sarveṣu saṃskariṣyanti bhūmipam ||
Those who are present at that time around my father, the lord of the land, and who perform all the funeral rites for him—will have achieved their purpose.
Those who will remain present around the king, my father, at the time of his death and perform the funeral rites have their desires fulfilled (for they could attend the king's obsequies).
FAQs
Antyeṣṭi-dharma (funerary duty): performing last rites is a sacred obligation and a final service to elders and rulers.
The speaker anticipates the king’s death and notes who will be able to attend and complete the required obsequies.
Reverence for ritual duty and acknowledgment of social-religious obligations.