Shloka 2.51.17

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकपञ्चाशः सर्गः — Guha’s Vigil and Lakṣmaṇa’s Lament (Night on the riverbank)

Devanagari script

कथं पुत्रं महात्मानं ज्येष्ठं प्रियमपश्यतः।शरीरं धारयिष्यन्ति प्राणा राज्ञो महात्मनः।।।।

Transliteration

anuraktajanākīrṇā sukhā lokapriyāvahā | rājavyasanasaṃsṛṣṭā sā purī vinaśiṣyati ||

Translation

That city—thronged with loyal folk, a giver of joy and dear to its people—will nonetheless fall to ruin, overwhelmed by calamity born of the king’s misfortune.

Context

How can the noble king survive unable to see his high-souled, beloved, eldest son?

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

The welfare of a kingdom is inseparable from righteous, stable kingship; when the ruler collapses in dharma and strength, society suffers.

What is the narrative situation?

Amid the exile-and-succession crisis, the speaker foresees Ayodhyā’s decline due to the king’s impending downfall.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Clear-sighted responsibility—seeing political and moral consequences beyond personal sorrow.