Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 66, Shloka 18
अयोध्यायां शोकविलापः
Lamentation in Ayodhya after Daśaratha’s death
हा महाराज रामेण सततं प्रियवादिना।विहीनास्सत्यसन्धेन किमर्थं विजहासि नः।।।।
hā mahārāja rāmeṇa satataṃ priyavādinā |
vihīnāḥ satyasandhena kimarthaṃ vijahāsi naḥ ||
হায় মহারাজ! সদা প্রিয়বাক্যভাষী ও সত্যসংকল্প রামের থেকে আমরা বঞ্চিত হয়েছি—এখন আপনি কেন আমাদেরও পরিত্যাগ করছেন?
When we were already deprived of Rama who was always pleasing and truthful, alas, o great king, why did you leave us?
FAQs
The verse elevates satya as a living virtue through Rāma’s epithet satyasandha (“steadfast in truth”). It also portrays the social consequence of dharmic leadership: when the truthful protector is absent, the community feels unguarded.
In mourning, the women address the deceased king, saying that after losing Rāma to exile, the king’s death feels like a second abandonment.
Rāma’s satya (truthfulness/faithfulness to vows) and priyavāditā (gentle speech), presented as virtues that sustain the people.