Shloka 2.114.8

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

Devanagari script

त्यक्तां यज्ञायुधैः सर्वैरभिरूपैश्च याजकैः। सुत्याकाले सुनिर्वृत्ते वेदिं गतरवामिव।।2.114.8।।

Transliteration

tyaktāṃ yajñāyudhaiḥ sarvair abhirūpaiś ca yājakaiḥ | sutyākāle sunirvṛtte vediṃ gataravām iva || 2.114.8 ||

Translation

It was like an altar (vedī) left abandoned when the time of soma-pressing is wholly finished—its ritual implements and learned priests gone, and all its sounds fallen silent.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā
• vedi (altar)
• sutyākāla (soma-pressing time)
• yājaka (priests)

FAQs

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

Ritual (yajña) is meaningful when animated by right purpose and right persons; when the sustaining centre is gone, forms remain but life departs. Dharma is portrayed as living order, not empty ceremony.

What is the narrative situation?

Ayodhyā is compared to a ritual ground after completion—implements and priests remain, yet the vibrant activity has ended—mirroring the city’s hush after Rāma’s exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse emphasizes the sanctifying presence of the righteous: the city’s ‘yajña-like’ life depends on dhārmic leadership and harmony.