Shloka 2.67.16

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 सिद्धार्था व्यवहारिणः।कथाभिरनुरज्यन्ते कथाशीलाः कथाप्रियैः।।।।

Transliteration

nārājake janapade prabhūtanaṭanartakāḥ | utsavāś ca samājāś ca vardhante rāṣṭravardhanāḥ ||

Translation

In a country without a king, festivals and public gatherings that foster the realm’s well-being do not flourish, nor do troupes of actors and dancers thrive.

Context

Where there is no king, those engaged in law-suits will not succeed and those who are accustomed to story-telling will not entertain those who love to listen to stories.

Characters & Entities

• utsava (festival)
• samāja (public gathering)
• naṭa-nartaka (actors/dancers)
• rāṣṭra (realm/state)

FAQs

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

Dharma includes sustaining social harmony and shared joy; righteous rule enables safe public celebration and cultural life, which otherwise wither under insecurity.

What is the narrative situation?

The speakers describe how leaderlessness erodes public life—gatherings and arts decline—supporting the urgency of establishing kingship.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Commitment to loka-kalyāṇa (public welfare): valuing culture and communal events as indicators of a healthy, dharmic society.