Shloka 2.59.19

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

Devanagari script

अप्रहृष्टमनुष्या च दीननागतुरङ्गमा।आर्तस्वरपरिम्लाना विनिश्श्वसितनिस्स्वना।।2.59.19।।निरानन्दा महाराज रामप्रव्राजनातुरा।कौसल्या पुत्रहीनेव अयोध्या प्रतिभाति मा।।2.59.20।।

Transliteration

na amitrāṇāṃ na mitrāṇām udāsīna-janasya ca |

aham ārtatayā kiṃcid viśeṣam upalakṣaye ||2.59.18||

Translation

In that agony, I could not discern even the slightest difference: among enemies, among friends, and among the indifferent alike, the distress appeared the same.

Context

O maharaja, Ayodhya is filled with cheerless people with deep sighs, agonised voices and pale faces depressed and distressed due to Rama's exile. (Even) elephants and horses look spiritless. For me it (the city) resembles (dejected) Kausalya deprived of her son.

Characters & Entities

• people of Ayodhya (friends, enemies, indifferent)

FAQs

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

Dharma’s social power: righteousness can unify society beyond factional lines; grief becomes universal when a truly dharmic figure is wronged or removed.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra reports that all groups in the city reacted with the same sorrow at Rama’s absence.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s impartial benevolence (sarva-hita): even those not aligned with him are moved, implying his universally recognized goodness.