Shloka 2.66.29

अयोध्यायां शोकविलापः — Lamentation in Ayodhya after Daśaratha’s death

Devanagari script

नराश्च नार्यश्च समेत्य सङ्घशः विगर्हमाणा भरतस्य मातरम्।तदा नगर्यां नरदेवसङ्क्षये बभूवुरार्ता न च शर्म लेभिरे।।।।

Transliteration

narāś ca nāryaś ca sametya saṅghaśaḥ vigarhamāṇā bharatasya mātaram |

tadā nagaryāṃ naradeva-saṅkṣaye babhūvur ārtā na ca śarma lebhire ||

Translation

Then, after the godlike king had perished, men and women in the city gathered in groups, denouncing Bharata’s mother; afflicted with anguish, they found no peace.

Context

After the demise of the king, men and women in the city assembled in groups and denounced the mother of Bharata. Extremely distressed, they had no peace of mind.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ṣaṭṣaṣṭitamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the sixtysixth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā
• Daśaratha
• Bharata
• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

It highlights social accountability: when adharma is perceived to cause public catastrophe, society openly censures the agent, seeking restoration of righteousness and truth in governance.

What is the narrative situation?

Following Daśaratha’s death, the citizens of Ayodhyā collectively blame and denounce Kaikeyī, associating her actions with the kingdom’s suffering.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The citizens’ moral sensitivity is emphasized—their refusal to normalize wrongdoing, even when it involves royalty.