Valmiki Ramayana 2.67.17 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 17
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः
The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm
नाराजके जनपदे उद्यानानि समागताः।सायाह्ने क्रीडितुं यान्ति कुमार्यो हेमभूषिताः।।।।
nārājake janapade udyānāni samāgatāḥ | sāyāhne krīḍituṃ yānti kumāryo hemabhūṣitāḥ ||
في بلدٍ بلا ملك، لا تذهب الفتيات المتحلّيات بالذهب—وإن اجتمعن—عند المساء إلى البساتين للّعب والابتهاج.
In a country without a king, pleasure-seeking men will not drive in the woods on swift-moving chariots with women.
FAQs
A dharmic ruler provides security enabling ordinary life—especially the safe movement of vulnerable members of society—without fear.
The speakers illustrate social insecurity under anarchy: even routine evening recreation in public gardens becomes impossible.
Protectiveness (rakṣā) as a royal virtue—good rule is measured by the safety of everyday citizens.
Ask anything about this verse
A free Google sign-in keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with audio, word-by-word meanings, and more.