Shloka 2.41.16

अयोध्यायाः शोकप्रकम्पः (Ayodhya’s Tremor of Grief and Omens)

Devanagari script

शोकपर्यायसन्तप्त स्सततं दीर्घमुच्छवसन्।अयोध्यायां जनस्सर्व श्शुशोच जगतीपतिम्।।2.41.16।।

Transliteration

śokaparyāyasantaptaḥ satataṃ dīrgham ucchvasan | ayodhyāyāṃ janaḥ sarvaḥ śuśoca jagatīpatim || 2.41.16 ||

Translation

In Ayodhya, all the people—scorched by wave after wave of sorrow—kept heaving long sighs and lamented for the Lord of the world, their king.

Context

All the citizens of Ayodhya, afflicted with a series of grief and heaving deep sighs ceaselessly bewailed at the sight of the lord of the world (Dasaratha).

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhya
• Daśaratha (implied by jagatīpati in this context)
• citizens

FAQs

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

It points to rājadharma’s human dimension: a king is not only an administrator but a moral guardian; when the royal house is shaken by adharma-like circumstances (unjust exile), the people suffer deeply.

What is the narrative situation?

The citizens of Ayodhya grieve intensely and sigh repeatedly, lamenting for their king (Daśaratha) amid the crisis caused by Rama’s exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The people’s loyalty and compassion toward their rulers, and the ideal of a king as ‘jagatīpati’—one who bears responsibility for all.