Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 47, Shloka 19
अयोध्यायाः पौरविलापः
Lament of the Citizens of Ayodhya on Rama’s Absence
ते तानि वेश्मानि महाधनानिदुःखेन दुःखोपहता विशन्तः।नैव प्रजज्ञुः स्वजनं जनं वानिरीक्षमाणाः प्रविनष्टहर्षाः।।।।
te tāni veśmāni mahādhanāni duḥkhena duḥkhopahatā viśantaḥ | naiva prajajñuḥ svajanaṃ janaṃ vā nirīkṣamāṇāḥ pravinaṣṭaharṣāḥ ||
Mit großer Mühe, vom Kummer niedergedrückt, betraten sie jene reichen Häuser; ihre Freude war vernichtet, und selbst beim Blick auf die Eigenen oder auf andere vermochten sie niemanden zu erkennen.
What shall we say (to the people)? How can we say, 'We have conducted him (to the forest), that scion of the Raghus, that mighty-armed Rama, who is of gentle speech and free from malice?
FAQs
It implies that dharma is not merely private; when public righteousness is disrupted, even ordinary social bonds and recognition can fracture.
After returning, citizens enter their homes in deep sorrow and, in shock, fail to recognize even familiar faces.
Rāma’s significance as the city’s moral and emotional anchor is emphasized indirectly—his absence destabilizes normal life.