Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 28
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः
The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm
नाराजके जनपदे चन्दनागरुरूषिताः।राजपुत्रा विराजन्ते वसन्त इव शाखिनः।।।।
nārājake janapade candanāgarurūṣitāḥ | rājaputrā virājante vasanta iva śākhinaḥ ||
রাজাহীন জনপদে চন্দন ও অগুরু-লেপিত রাজপুত্ররাও দীপ্তি পায় না; তারা বসন্তেও পুষ্পহীন বৃক্ষের মতোই দেখায়।
In a country where there is no king, the princes, anointed with sandal paste and agaru, no longer look graceful like blosoming trees in spring time.
FAQs
Royal dignity is not mere ornament; it rests on rightful rule and responsibility. Without dharmic kingship, even princes lose their rightful radiance and purpose.
The counselors emphasize that leaderlessness diminishes the entire royal order, not just common life.
Legitimate authority joined to duty—splendor grounded in dharma rather than display.