Shloka 2.67.13

अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः (The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm)

Devanagari script

नाराजके जनपदे यज्ञशीला द्विजातयः।सत्राण्यन्वासते दान्ता ब्राह्मणा स्संशितव्रताः।।।।

Transliteration

nārājake janapade kārayanti sabhāṃ narāḥ | udyānāni ca ramyāṇi hṛṣṭāḥ puṇyagṛhāṇi ca ||

Translation

In a country without a king, people do not convene assemblies; nor, in joyful confidence, do they build delightful gardens and sacred edifices.

Context

In a country without a king, self-controlled brahmins in charge of sacrificial ceremonies, well-versed in the study of Vedas and strict followers of austerity will not function.

Characters & Entities

• sabhā (assembly)
• udyāna (gardens)
• puṇyagṛha (sacred edifices)

FAQs

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

The verse teaches that righteous governance enables civic life: without a king who upholds dharma, public institutions, communal deliberation, and merit-making works decline.

What is the narrative situation?

In the political uncertainty of Ayodhyā, speakers argue that the absence of a ruler disrupts normal social and religious activities, motivating urgent action toward stable kingship.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Concern for loka-saṅgraha (the holding-together of society): valuing assemblies, public works, and sacred construction as signs of a well-ordered realm.