Shloka 2.57.11
सप्तपञ्चाशः सर्गः — Sumantra’s Return to Ayodhya and the Palace’s Lament
ते तीर्णा इति विज्ञाय बाष्पपूर्णमुखा जनाः।अहो धिगिति निश्श्वस्य हा रामेति च चुक्रुशुः।।।।
te tīrṇā iti vijñāya bāṣpa-pūrṇa-mukhā janāḥ | aho dhig iti niśśvasya hā rāmeti ca cukruśuḥ ||
When they learned, “They have crossed,” the people—faces brimming with tears—sighed and cried, “Ah, shame upon us!” and “Alas, Rāma!”
Hearing that they had (the trio) crossed the river Ganga, the people, with their faces filled with tears sighed and saying 'Fie upon us! Alas, Rama!' cried out aloud.
Collective moral awakening: the people’s remorse implies recognition of a dharmic loss—when the righteous are driven away, society feels its own failure and suffering.
News spreads that Rāma and companions have crossed the river, and the citizens respond with grief and self-reproach.
Bhakti-like devotion and moral sensitivity in the populace: their tears show how deeply they value Rāma’s righteousness.