Shloka 2.41.17
अयोध्यायाः शोकप्रकम्पः (Ayodhya’s Tremor of Grief and Omens)
बाष्पपर्याकुलमुखो राजमार्गगतो जनः।न हृष्टो लक्ष्यते कश्चित्सर्व श्शोकपरायणः।।2.41.17।।
bāṣpaparyākulamukho rājamārgagato janaḥ | na hṛṣṭo lakṣyate kaścit sarvaḥ śokaparāyaṇaḥ || 2.41.17 ||
Along the royal road, the people’s faces were overwhelmed with tears; no one could be seen as joyful—everyone was wholly absorbed in grief.
The faces of the people on the highway were turbid with tears. None looked happy. All were plunged in sorrow.
The verse reflects communal dharma: society collectively responds to the loss of righteousness and protection, indicating that moral events are not private but shared responsibilities and shared wounds.
Citizens gather or move along the main royal road, openly weeping after Rama’s exile, with no signs of celebration anywhere.
The citizens’ bhakti-like devotion and solidarity—an emotional allegiance to Rama and the royal family’s ideal order.