Shloka 2.114.12

अयोध्याप्रवेशः — Bharata Enters Ayodhya and Perceives the City’s Desolation

Devanagari script

पुष्पनद्धां वसन्तान्ते मत्तभ्रमरनादिताम्। द्रुतदावाग्नि विप्लुष्टां क्लान्तां वनलतामिव।।2.114.12।।

Transliteration

puṣpa-naddhāṃ vasantānte matta-bhramara-nāditām | druta-dāvāgni-vipluṣṭāṃ klāntāṃ vanalatām iva ||

Translation

Ayodhyā seemed like a forest-creeper: once garlanded with blossoms at spring’s end and resonant with the hum of intoxicated bees, now suddenly scorched by a swiftly spreading wildfire—withered and exhausted.

Context

with the melodious humming of intoxicated bees and suddenly shrivelling, ravaged by the fast-spreading forest fire.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The simile teaches impermanence: worldly flourishing can be undone quickly when dharmic stability is disrupted; hence rulers must protect order and truth to prevent ‘wildfire’ collapse.

What is the narrative situation?

The city is portrayed as having abruptly lost its former joy and beauty, paralleling the royal crisis and separation from Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Implicitly, the protective duty of leadership—steadfast dharma prevents sudden ruin.