Shloka 2.26.12
अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः — Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct
वाग्मिनो वन्दिनश्चापि प्रहृष्टास्त्वां नरर्षभ।स्तुवन्तो नात्र दृश्यन्ते मङ्गलैः स्सूतमागधाः।।।।
vāgmino vandinaś cāpi prahṛṣṭās tvāṃ nararṣabha | stuvanto nātra dṛśyante maṅgalaiḥ sūta-māgadhāḥ ||
O best of men, the eloquent panegyrists too—though they should be delighted—are not seen here praising you with auspicious words; neither the Sūta bards nor the Māgadha singers appear.
(How is it that) O best among men! eloquent panegyrists, charioteers, bards are not seen singing your praise with auspicious words?
When dharma is strained, society’s auspicious order (maṅgala-ācāra) falters: the absence of customary praise signals communal distress at a righteous man’s undeserved suffering.
As Rāma moves through Ayodhyā, the people notice that celebratory bards and formal praises are missing, reflecting the city’s grief rather than festivity.
Rāma’s public esteem: the lament presumes he normally receives honour, underscoring his merit and the abnormality of the present injustice.