Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 24
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः
The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm
नाराजके जनपदे योगक्षेमं प्रवर्तते।नचाप्यराजके सेना शत्रून्विषहते युधि।।।।
nārājake janapade yogakṣemaṃ pravartate | na cāpy arājake senā śatrūn viṣahate yudhi ||
রাজাহীন জনপদে যোগক্ষেম—অর্থাৎ প্রাপ্তের রক্ষা ও অপ্রাপ্তের প্রাপ্তি—স্থির থাকে না; আর রাজশাসন না থাকলে সেনাও যুদ্ধে শত্রুকে প্রতিহত করতে পারে না॥
In a country without a king, there is no security of possessions and the army cannot withstand the enemy in a battle.
FAQs
Kingship is a dharmic institution for yogakṣema—ensuring welfare, protection of property, and collective defense; without it, both prosperity and security collapse.
The counselors argue for immediate establishment of rule, warning that internal insecurity and external threats rise together in a leaderless state.
Steadfast protection (rakṣā) and strategic strength—virtues expected of righteous governance.