Shloka 2.33.22
त्रयस्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Civic Lament and Rama’s Dutiful Approach to Daśaratha
वनं नगरमेवास्तु येन गच्छति राघवः।अस्माभिश्च परित्यक्तं पुरं सम्पद्यतां वनम्।।।।
vanaṃ nagaramevāstu yena gacchati rāghavaḥ | asmābhiśca parityaktaṃ puraṃ sampadyatāṃ vanam ||
Let the forest where Rāghava goes become a city, and let this city, abandoned by us, become a forest.
Since the scion of the Raghu race is going to the forest, let that forest itself be our city and let the city deserted by us become the forest.
It expresses the profound loyalty of the citizens, asserting that true civilization (the city) exists only where Rama resides, even if it is a forest, while Ayodhya without him is merely a wilderness.
They intend to abandon Ayodhya to follow Rama; thus, the empty city, devoid of their presence and Rama's righteousness, is metaphorically and physically equated to a desolate forest.