Shloka 2.67.2

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

Devanagari script

व्यतीतायां तु शर्वर्यामादित्यस्योदये ततः।समेत्य राजकर्तारः सभामीयुर्द्विजातयः।।।।

Transliteration

nārājake janapade dhanavantaḥ surakṣitāḥ | śerate vivṛtadvārāḥ kṛṣigorakṣajīvinaḥ ||

Translation

In a land without a king, even wealthy people who live by farming and cattle-rearing cannot sleep securely with their doors left open.

Context

When the night finally ended and after the sunrise next day, the brahmins who perform royal investiture having been called and reached the assembly hall.

Characters & Entities

• kṛṣi (agriculture)
• gorakṣā (cattle protection)

FAQs

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

The verse states a practical measure of dharmic rule: when governance is righteous, even the prosperous feel safe; without it, fear prevails and trust disappears.

What is the narrative situation?

To show the cost of anarchy, the speakers point to the insecurity of households and livelihoods in agriculture and cattle-rearing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rakṣaṇa (protection of subjects and property), a central royal virtue ensuring economic and domestic peace.