Shloka 2.57.12

सप्तपञ्चाशः सर्गः — Sumantra’s Return to Ayodhya and the Palace’s Lament

Devanagari script

शुश्राव च वचस्तेषां बृन्दं बृन्दं च तिष्ठताम्।हतास्म खलु ये नेह पश्याम इति राघवम्।।।।

Transliteration

śuśrāva ca vacas teṣāṃ bṛndaṃ bṛndaṃ ca tiṣṭhatām | hatā sma khalu ye neha paśyāma iti rāghavam ||

Translation

He also heard their words as they stood in clusters: “Truly we are undone, for from now on we shall not see Rāghava.”

Context

He saw them gathering in groups, saying, Henceforth we will not be able to see Rama and without him, we are lost indeed.

Characters & Entities

• Rāghava (Rāma)
• people of Ayodhyā

FAQs

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

A society’s well-being is tied to righteous leadership: their despair reflects the dharmic idea that the presence of a just person sustains communal confidence and order.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra (or the returning party) hears citizens lamenting in groups that they will no longer see Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s loka-saṃgraha (upholding the people): the people’s reaction implies his protective, morally stabilizing influence.