Shloka 2.40.37
प्रयाणवर्णनम् (Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency)
ततो हलहलाशब्दो जज्ञे रामस्य पृष्ठतः।नराणां प्रेक्ष्य राजानं सीदन्तं भृशदुःखितम्।।।।
tato halahalāśabdo jajñe rāmasya pṛṣṭhataḥ | narāṇāṃ prekṣya rājānaṃ sīdantaṃ bhṛśaduḥkhitam ||
Then, behind Rāma, a tumultuous cry arose from the men when they saw the king sinking down, crushed by intense grief.
When the people saw the king enfeebled by deep grief, they raised an uproar behind Rama's (chariot).
Dharma’s impact is communal: the king’s suffering is not private but shared by society, reminding that ethical decisions in leadership reverberate through the people.
As Rāma proceeds, the people notice Daśaratha collapsing in grief and respond with a loud collective outcry.
The people’s loyalty and concern for both Rāma and their king, reflecting social cohesion around dharmic ideals.