Shloka 2.67.4

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

Devanagari script

मार्कण्डेयोऽथ मौद्गल्यो वामदेवश्च काश्यपः।कात्यायनो गौतमश्च जाबालिश्च महायशाः।।2.67.3।।एते द्विजा स्सहामात्यैः पृथग्वा च मुदीरयन्।वसिष्ठमेवाभिमुखाः श्रेष्ठं राजपुरोहितम्।।2.67.4।।

Transliteration

mārkaṇḍeyo 'tha maudgalyo vāmadevaś ca kāśyapaḥ |

kātyāyano gautamaś ca jābāliś ca mahāyaśāḥ || 2.67.3 ||

ete dvijāḥ sahāmātyaiḥ pṛthag vācaṃ mudīrayan |

vasiṣṭham evābhimukhāḥ śreṣṭhaṃ rājapurohitam || 2.67.4 ||

Translation

Then Mārkaṇḍeya, Maudgalya, Vāmadeva, Kāśyapa, Kātyāyana, Gautama, and the renowned Jābāli—these brāhmaṇas, together with the ministers, approached Vasiṣṭha, the foremost royal priest, and voiced differing opinions.

Context

Markandeya, Maudgalya, Kasyapa, Katyayana, Gautama, Jabali of great renown accompanied by ministers and brahmins approached Vasistha, the chief priest of the king and expressed different opinions (on the investiture).

Characters & Entities

• Mārkaṇḍeya
• Maudgalya
• Vāmadeva
• Kāśyapa
• Kātyāyana
• Gautama
• Jābāli
• Vasiṣṭha
• amātya (ministers)

FAQs

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

Dharma in governance is shown as consultative and deliberative: learned brāhmaṇas and ministers jointly examine the right course for lawful succession.

What is the narrative situation?

A council of eminent sages and ministers approaches Vasiṣṭha to discuss and advise on the investiture of a king after the crisis in Ayodhyā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Collective prudence—seeking wise counsel and weighing differing viewpoints to uphold rajadharma.