Valmiki Ramayana 2.66.17 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 66, Shloka 17
अयोध्यायां शोकविलापः
Lamentation in Ayodhya after Daśaratha’s death
बाहूनुद्यम्य कृपणाः नेत्रप्रस्रवणैर्मुखैः।रुदन्त्य श्शोकसन्तप्ताः कृपणं पर्यदेवयन्।।।।
bāhūn udyamya kṛpaṇāḥ netraprasravaṇair mukhaiḥ |
rudantyaḥ śokasantaptāḥ kṛpaṇaṃ paryadevayan ||
رفعن أذرعهنّ، ووجوههنّ تفيض بالدموع؛ محترقاتٍ بحرقة الحزن، ينتحبن وينُحن نحيبًا مُرًّا بلا كفٍّ ولا انقطاع.
With tears flowing down their faces, piteously raising their arms, groaning in their burning grief, the women lamented helplessly.
FAQs
While not prescribing an action, the verse records truthful human response to loss (satya of emotion). In the Ramayana, acknowledging grief is part of moral realism, which then must be guided back into dharmic conduct and duty.
Following the king’s death, the women’s grief becomes outwardly visible—raised arms, tears, and loud lamentation.
Emotional sincerity and attachment born of loyalty—grief as evidence of love and dependence on the righteous king.
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