Valmiki Ramayana 2.40.18: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 40, Shloka 18
प्रयाणवर्णनम्
Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency
प्रतियाते महारण्यं चिररात्राय राघवे ।
बभूव नगरे मूर्छा बलमूर्छा जनस्य च ॥१८॥
pratiyāte mahāraṇyaṃ cira-rātrāya rāghave |
babhūva nagare mūrchā bala-mūrchā janasya ca ||18||
Als Rāghava für lange Zeit in den großen Wald aufbrach, verfiel die Stadt in Erstarrung; auch das Volk sank ohnmächtig dahin, seiner Kraft beraubt.
Having seen Rama set out for the great forest for a long period, the city was stilled and men were enervated.
FAQs
The verse highlights the social dimension of dharma: a righteous leader’s presence sustains public morale; his forced absence wounds the collective life of the city.
Rāma’s departure for long exile shocks Ayodhyā; the populace becomes stunned and weakened by grief.
Rāma’s perceived righteousness and dependability—so central that the city’s strength seems tied to him.
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