Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 48, Shloka 37
अयोध्यायाः शोकवर्णनम्
Ayodhya’s Lament and Civic Desolation
प्रशान्तगीतोत्सवनृत्तवादनाव्यपास्तहर्षा पिहितापणोदया।तदा ह्ययोध्या नगरी बभूव सामहार्णव स्सङ्क्षपितोदको यथा।।2.48.37।।
praśānta-gītotsava-nṛtta-vādana-vyapāsta-harṣā pihitāpaṇodayā |
tadā hy ayodhyā nagarī babhūva sā mahārṇavaḥ saṅkṣipitodako yathā ||2.48.37||
গান, উৎসব, নৃত্য ও বাদ্য স্তব্ধ হয়ে গেল; আনন্দ অপসৃত হল, আর হাট-বাজারের দোকানপাট বন্ধ হয়ে গেল। তখন অযোধ্যা নগরী এমন দেখাল, যেন মহাসমুদ্রের জল সরে গিয়েছে।
With the cessation of singing, celebrations, dance and music, there was no rejoicing in the city. The markets displaying merchandise were shut down. The city of Ayodhya looked like the ocean with its waters diminished.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē aṣṭacatvāriśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fortyeighth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
The verse highlights how a righteous leader’s presence sustains social harmony; when Rāma—an embodiment of dharma—is absent, public life loses its order and joy, showing the ethical link between personal virtue and collective wellbeing.
After Rāma’s departure toward exile, Ayodhyā falls into a citywide hush: celebrations stop, commerce closes, and the capital looks drained and lifeless.
Rāma’s dhārmic stature is implied: his integrity and rightful conduct are so central that his absence alone causes the city’s morale and normal rhythms to collapse.