Shloka 2.36.20

अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Daśaratha’s orders for Rama’s escort; Kaikeyi’s fear; the Asamañjasa precedent

Devanagari script

तं दृष्ट्वा नागरा स्सर्वे कृद्धा राजानमब्रुवन्।असमञ्जं वृणीष्वैकमस्मान्वा राष्ट्रवर्धन।।।।

Transliteration

taṃ dṛṣṭvā nāgarāḥ sarve kṛddhā rājānam abruvan | asamañjaṃ vṛṇīṣvaikam asmān vā rāṣṭra-vardhana ||2.36.20||

Translation

Seeing this, all the city-dwellers, enraged, spoke to the king: “O increaser of the kingdom—choose one: either Asamañja alone, or us.”

Context

Watching it, all the enraged citizens said to the king, 'O enhancer of the prosperity of the kingdom, either you choose Asamanjasa or us'.

Characters & Entities

• Citizens (nāgarāḥ)
• King Sagara
• Asamañja

FAQs

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

Public welfare (praja-hita) is central to kingship: when a ruler tolerates harm by a powerful person, citizens may demand justice, insisting the king protect them over familial attachment.

What is the narrative situation?

Citizens confront the king after witnessing Asamañja’s cruelty, forcing a decisive choice between the offender and the community.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Civic courage and collective insistence on justice—subjects uphold dharma by demanding protection for the innocent.