Shloka 2.67.19

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 धनवन्तस्सुरक्षिताः।शेरते विवृतद्वाराः कृषिगोरक्षजीविनः।।।।

Transliteration

nārājake janapade vāhanaiḥ śaśīghragāmibhiḥ | narā niryānty araṇyāni nārībhis saha kāminaḥ ||

Translation

In a land without a king, pleasure-seeking men do not ride out with women in swift vehicles to the woods for recreation.

Context

In a country without a king, wealthy people who live on farming and raising cattle cannot sleep safely in their homes with doors wide open.

Characters & Entities

• araṇya (woods/forest)
• vāhana (vehicle/chariot)

FAQs

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

Dharma in governance ensures freedom of movement and leisure without fear; the absence of lawful authority restricts even nonessential pleasures due to insecurity.

What is the narrative situation?

The speakers continue portraying how daily life contracts in a kingless realm, where travel and recreation become unsafe.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Order-maintenance (śāsana) and protection—key virtues expected of a king to keep roads and outskirts safe.