Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 114, Shloka 3
अयोध्याप्रवेशः
Bharata Enters Ayodhya and Perceives the City’s Desolation
राहुशत्रोः प्रियां पत्नीं श्रिया प्रज्वलितप्रभाम्। ग्रहेणाभ्युत्थितेनैकां रोहिणीमिव पीडिताम्।।2.114.3।।
rāhuśatroḥ priyāṁ patnīṁ śriyā prajvalitaprabhām |
graheṇābhyutthitenaikāṁ rohiṇīm iva pīḍitām ||2.114.3||
She seemed like Rohiṇī, the Moon’s beloved consort—once blazing with splendour—now left alone and tormented, as though seized by a hostile planet risen in power.
(The city looked) like Rohini, the beloved consort of the Moon, the star which wasmajesticlly radiating flaming brilliance and now, tormented by the exalted Rahu which has eclipsed the Moon, shines alone.
FAQs
The ethical idea is indirect: when the rightful support (the dharmic center) is removed, even what is naturally radiant becomes afflicted—highlighting the stabilizing role of righteous order.
A poetic description portrays Ayodhya’s lonely, tormented appearance after Rama’s departure, using an astronomical simile involving Rohiṇī and the Moon.
Rama’s indispensability to the kingdom’s wellbeing: his absence is depicted as cosmic disturbance, underscoring his role as dharma’s anchor.