Shloka 2.114.24
अयोध्याप्रवेशः — Bharata Enters Ayodhya and Perceives the City’s Desolation
यानप्रवरघोषश्च स्निग्धश्च हयनिस्वनः। प्रमत्तगजनादश्च महांश्च रथनिस्वनः।।2.114.24।। नेदानीं श्रूयते पुर्यामस्यां रामे विवासिते।
yānapravaraghōṣaś ca snigdhaś ca hayanisvanaḥ | pramattagajanādaś ca mahāṃś ca rathanisvanaḥ || 2.114.24 || nedānīṃ śrūyate puryām asyāṃ rāme vivāsite |
The clatter of fine carriages, the pleasant neighing of horses, the trumpeting of rutting elephants, and the great rumble of chariots—none of this is heard now in this city, since Rāma has been sent into exile.
After Rama's the exile the clatter of excellent carriages, the pleasing neighing of horses and trumpeting of elephants in rut and the rattle of chariots are no longer heard now.
The verse shows how the exile of a righteous heir disrupts public order and well-being; dharma in kingship is measured by the people’s peace and the city’s natural thriving.
Bharata observes that Ayodhya’s normal bustle—vehicles, horses, elephants, chariots—has vanished, explicitly connecting the change to Rama’s exile.
Bharata’s loyalty to Rama and commitment to truth: he names Rama’s exile as the decisive cause, indicating moral clarity rather than denial.