Shloka 2.47.7

अयोध्यायाः पौरविलापः (Lament of the Citizens of Ayodhya on Rama’s Absence)

Devanagari script

इहैव निधनं यामो महाप्रस्थानमेव वा।रामेण रहितानां हि किमर्थं जीवितं हि नः।।।।

Transliteration

kiṃ vakṣyāmo mahābāhur anasūyaḥ priyaṃvadaḥ | nītaḥ sa rāghavo ’smābhir iti vaktuṃ kathaṃ kṣamam ||

Translation

What can we say—how can we bear to utter, ‘We led Rāghava away,’ that mighty-armed one, free from malice and gentle in speech?

Context

We all will die here. We will go on the everlasting journey to death. Of what use is this life to us without Rama?

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Rāghava

FAQs

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

It highlights moral accountability: even if one is not directly guilty, society feels responsible for failing to protect the righteous.

What is the narrative situation?

Citizens feel shame at the thought that it may be said they ‘sent’ or ‘led’ Rāma into exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s gentleness and absence of malice (anasūyā, priyaṃvada) are stressed as reasons the citizens’ shame is intensified.