Shloka 2.67.27

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 माल्यमोदकदक्षिणाः।देवताभ्यर्चनार्थाय कल्प्यन्ते नियतैर्जनैः।।।।

Transliteration

nārājake janapade mālyamodakadakṣiṇāḥ | devatābhyarcanārthāya kalpyante niyataire janaiḥ ||

Translation

In a land without a king, even disciplined and devout people do not duly arrange garlands, sweet offerings, and dakṣiṇā for the worship of the gods.

Context

In a country where there is no king, people who are disciplined in spiritual practices do not offer garlands of flowers, sweetmeats and alms while worshipping gods.

Characters & Entities

• devatāḥ (deities)
• mālya (garlands)
• modaka (sweet offerings)
• dakṣiṇā (ritual gifts)

FAQs

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

A stable kingdom supports dharmic observances; when fear and disorder prevail, even sincere people fail to sustain worship and charitable giving.

What is the narrative situation?

The council links political breakdown to spiritual and communal breakdown, showing how public dharma depends on public order.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence and generosity—virtues that require safety and regularity to be practiced consistently.