Shloka 2.67.31

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 स्वकं भवति कस्यचित्।मत्स्या इव नरा नित्यं भक्षयन्ति परस्परम्।।।।

Transliteration

nārājake janapade svakaṃ bhavati kasyacit |

matsyā iva narā nityaṃ bhakṣayanti parasparam || 2.67.31 ||

Translation

In a country without a king, nothing truly remains anyone’s own; people, like fish, ceaselessly devour one another.

Context

In a country where there is no king, no one can own anything and, like fish, people devour one another ceaselessly.

Characters & Entities

• janapada (realm/country)
• rājā (king, as institution)

FAQs

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

Dharma requires a legitimate authority to protect rights and restrain violence; without rulership, society collapses into predation where the strong exploit the weak.

What is the narrative situation?

The assembly warns Vasiṣṭha that the kingdom cannot remain leaderless after Daśaratha’s death.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protective governance—restraint, justice, and safeguarding of property and life.