Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 48, Shloka 7
अयोध्यायाः शोकवर्णनम्
Ayodhya’s Lament and Civic Desolation
किं नु तेषां गृहैः कार्यं किं दारै: किं धनेन वा।पुत्रैर्वा किं सुखैर्वापि ये न पश्यन्ति राघवम्।।2.48.7।।
kiṃ nu teṣāṃ gṛhaiḥ kāryaṃ kiṃ dāraiḥ kiṃ dhanena vā |
putrair vā kiṃ sukhair vāpi ye na paśyanti rāghavam ||2.48.7||
What use are houses to them—what use are spouses or wealth? What use are children or pleasures for those who do not behold Rāghava (Rāma)?
For those who do not see Rama, of what use are the houses or spouses or sons orfortunes or delight?
FAQs
It teaches that life’s supports—home, wealth, family, pleasure—are meaningful only when anchored in righteousness and the presence of the dhārmic ideal; without dharma, comforts feel purposeless.
Amid citywide mourning, the women express that ordinary domestic and material goods have no value if they cannot see Rāma.
Rāma’s role as the highest good (dharma-personified) is emphasized: seeing him is portrayed as more precious than wealth or family joy.