Shloka 2.33.21
त्रयस्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Civic Lament and Rama’s Dutiful Approach to Daśaratha
समुद्धृतनिधानानि परिध्वस्ताजिराणि च।उपात्त धनधान्यानि हृतसाराणि सर्वशः।।2.33.18।।रजसाभ्यवकीर्णानि परित्यक्तानि दैवतैः।मूषकैःपरिधावद्भिरुद्बिलैरावृतानि च।।2.33.19।।अपेतोदकधूमानि हीनसम्मार्जनानि च।प्रणष्टबलिकर्मेज्यामन्त्रहोमजपानि च।।2.33.20।।दुष्कालेनेव भग्नानि भिन्नभाजनवन्ति च।अस्मात्त्यक्तानि वेश्मानि कैकेयी प्रतिपद्यताम्।।2.33.21।।
tṛṇa-māṃsa-phalādānāṃ deśaṃ vyāla-mṛga-dvijam |
prapadyatāṃ hi kaikeyī sa-putrā saha bāndhavaiḥ |
rāghaveṇa vane sarve vayaṃ vatsyāma nirvṛtāḥ ||
Let Kaikeyī, with her son and her kinsmen, take that land filled with serpents, beasts, and birds—creatures that feed on grass, flesh, and fruits. As for us, we shall all dwell content in the forest with Rāghava.
Let Kaikeyi take possession of our deserted and dilapidated homes with ruined courtyards which seem as though struck by calamities. They are drained of wealth and foodgrains, covered with dust and abandoned by the gods. There is no water or smoke (from kitchen). They are infested with rats. They stand unswept. There foodgrains lie around ratholes, and broken earthenwares lie scattered. There are no offerings, no sacrifices, no recitation of sacred hymns, no libations and no invocations.
True welfare lies in dharma, not territory: the citizens reject unjust gain and choose hardship alongside the righteous.
Citizens declare that Kaikeyī may keep a realm fit for wild creatures, while they will live peacefully with Rāma in the forest.
Contentment through righteousness (nirvṛti): peace arises from aligning life with satya and dharma, even in exile.