Shloka 2.40.21

प्रयाणवर्णनम् (Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency)

Devanagari script

पार्श्वतः पृष्ठतश्चापि लम्बमानास्तदुन्मुखाः।बाष्पपूर्णमुखास्सर्वे तमूचुर्भृशनिस्वनाः।।।।

Transliteration

pārśvataḥ pṛṣṭhataś cāpi lambamānās tad-unmukhāḥ | bāṣpa-pūrṇa-mukhāḥ sarve tam ūcur bhṛśa-nisvanāḥ ||

Translation

Clinging to the chariot from the sides and from behind, all of them—faces brimming with tears, voices choked by deep sobbing—spoke to Sumantra.

Context

All the people hanging from the chariot from behind and by the sides, heaving deeply, their faces covered with tears, thus addressed to Sumantra:

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā (citizens)
• Sumantra
• Rāma (implied by the chariot scene)

FAQs

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

It shows the dharmic bond between ruler and subjects: their grief is not mere emotion, but a response to the loss of righteous protection and moral order.

What is the narrative situation?

Citizens physically surround and cling to the moving chariot and then address Sumantra, pleading through tears.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective loyalty and devotion to a dharmic prince; also the restraint of addressing the charioteer as a practical mediator.