Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 66, Shloka 27
अयोध्यायां शोकविलापः
Lamentation in Ayodhya after Daśaratha’s death
ऋते तु पुत्राद्धहनं महीपतेर्नरोचयन्ते सुहृदस्समागताः।इतीव तस्मिन् शयने न्यवेशयन् वनिचिन्त्य राजानमचिन्त्य दर्शनम्।।।।
ṛte tu putrād dahanam mahīpater na rocayante suhṛdaḥ samāgatāḥ |
itīva tasmin śayane nyaveśayan vicintya rājānam acintya-darśanam ||
But since the son was not present, the assembled friends would not consent to kindle the king’s funeral fire; therefore, after deliberation, they laid the king—now in an unlooked-for state—upon that bed.
The well-wishers who asembled, unwilling to ignite the funeral pyre of the king in the absence of any one of his sons laid the king's deadbody in that oil trough in an unexpected manner.
FAQs
It reflects the dharma of funeral rites: the son’s role is central in antyeṣṭi, and the community hesitates to proceed without the rightful performer, preserving ritual propriety and truthfulness in duty.
After Daśaratha’s death, attendants and well-wishers delay cremation because none of his sons are present; the body is preserved/laid aside.
The well-wishers’ adherence to proper conduct (procedural dharma) is emphasized—acting carefully rather than hastily.