Shloka 2.59.14

एकोनषष्ठितमः सर्गः (Sarga 59): सुमन्त्रवाक्यं, अयोध्याविषादः, दाशरथिशोकसागरः

Devanagari script

प्रविशन्तमयोध्यां मां न कश्चिदभिनन्दति।नरा राममपश्यन्तो निश्श्वसन्ति मुहुर्मुहुः।।2.59.14।।

Transliteration

praviśantam ayodhyāṃ māṃ na kaścid abhinandati |

narā rāmam apaśyanto niśśvasanti muhur muhuḥ ||

Translation

When I entered Ayodhyā, no one greeted me. The people, not seeing Rāma, kept sighing again and again.

Context

None greeted me when I entered Ayodhya, People heaved sighs repeatedly when they did not see Rama.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā
• Rāma
• Sumantra (implicit as “I”)

FAQs

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

It implies that righteous leadership is a public good: the people’s grief shows their dependence on a dharmic exemplar for social confidence, stability, and hope.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra returns to Ayodhyā without Rāma and reports the citizens’ reaction—no welcome, only repeated sighs at Rāma’s absence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s belovedness rooted in virtue: he is not merely a prince, but a moral ideal whose absence creates collective despair.