Shloka 2.40.34

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

Devanagari script

रुदिताश्रुपरिद्यूनं हाहाकृतमचेतनम्।प्रयाणे राघवस्यासीत्पुरं परमपीडितम्।।।।

Transliteration

ruditāśruparidyūnaṃ hāhākṛtam acetanam | prayāṇe rāghavasyāsīt puraṃ paramapīḍitam ||

Translation

At Rāghava’s departure, the city was utterly tormented—drenched in tears, echoing with cries of “Alas!”, and as if bereft of sense.

Context

At the time of Rama's departure, the insensate city was drenched with tears of the deeply afflicted people crying, 'Alas, Alas'.

Characters & Entities

• Rāghava (Rāma)
• Ayodhyā (implied by “puram”, the city)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores the social cost of dharma: righteous adherence to vows and truth can cause widespread pain, yet dharma remains the stabilizing ideal even amid collective lamentation.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma’s departure triggers a citywide breakdown—people weep and cry out so intensely that the city is described as stunned and overwhelmed.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s gravity as a moral center: the city’s reaction shows how deeply his righteousness supports the community’s sense of order.