Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 76, Shloka 5
दशरथस्य अन्त्येष्टि
विधानम् — Dasaratha’s Funeral Rites and Ayodhya’s Mourning
उद्धृतं तैलसंरोधात्सतु भूमौ निवेशितम्।आपीतवर्णवदनं प्रसुप्तमिव भूमिपम्।।2.76.4।।संवेश्य शयने चाग्य्रे नानारत्नपरिष्कृते।ततो दशरथं पुत्रो विललाप सुदुःखितः।।2.76.5।।
kṛtvodakaṃ te bharatena sārdhaṃ nṛpāṅganā mantripurohitāś ca |
puraṃ praviśyāśruparītanetrāḥ bhūmau daśāhaṃ vyanayanta duḥkham || 2.76.23 ||
After offering the water-libations along with Bharata, the king’s wives—together with the ministers and priests—re-entered the city, their eyes brimming with tears; and for ten days, they passed the period of mourning in sorrow, lying on the ground.
The mortal remains of king Dasaratha, protector of the earth, was taken out of the oil container and placed on the floor. His pale, yellow face appeared as if he was asleep. Thereafter it was laid upon a magnificent couch adorned with every kind of gem. On seeing Dasaratha in that state Bharata lamented in extreme distress.
FAQs
Dharma is sustained through shared rites and disciplined mourning: offerings for the departed and a defined mourning period express respect, memory, and social stability.
Following the cremation-related observances and water-libations, the royal household and officiants return to Ayodhyā and observe ten days of mourning.
Collective responsibility and reverence—ministers, priests, and queens uphold tradition and honor the king through prescribed observances.