Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 2
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः
The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm
व्यतीतायां तु शर्वर्यामादित्यस्योदये ततः।समेत्य राजकर्तारः सभामीयुर्द्विजातयः।।।।
vyatītāyāṃ tu śarvaryām ādityasyodaye tataḥ | sametya rājakartāraḥ sabhām īyur dvijātayaḥ ||
When the night had passed and the sun rose, the twice-born brahmins—those who conduct the rites of royal consecration—assembled and went to the council hall.
In a country where there is no king, no assemblies are convened by pleasure seeking people, nor do they build delightful gardens or sacred edifices.
FAQs
The verse underscores rajadharma: legitimate kingship is established through sanctioned rites and collective counsel, indicating that political authority should arise from dharmic procedure rather than force.
At daybreak, brahmins responsible for coronation/investiture rites gather and proceed to the assembly hall, preparing for deliberation and action regarding the kingdom’s leadership.
Institutional responsibility and discipline—those entrusted with sacred civic duties act promptly and in an orderly manner to uphold social and political stability.