Shloka 2.40.33

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

Devanagari script

निर्गच्छति महाबाहौ रामे पौरजनाश्रुभिः।पतितैरभ्यवहितं प्रशशाम महीरजः।।।।

Transliteration

nirgacchati mahābāhau rāme paurajanāśrubhiḥ | patitair abhyavahitaṃ praśaśāma mahīrajaḥ ||

Translation

As the mighty-armed Rāma departed, the dust raised from the earth was settled and subdued by the citizens’ tears as they fell.

Context

As the mighty-armed Rama was going away, the dust raised from the earth subsided with the tears falling from the citizens' (eyes).

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• paurajana (citizens of Ayodhyā)
• mahīrajaḥ (dust of the earth)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown through collective empathy: the people’s tears reflect moral attachment to a righteous prince and sorrow at the cost of truth-keeping and duty.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma’s chariot moves away, raising dust; the citizens’ weeping is so intense that it metaphorically (and physically) dampens and settles the dust.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The citizens’ devotion and compassion—recognition of Rāma’s virtue and suffering in dharmic exile.