Shloka 2.88.25

रामशय्यादर्शनम् — Bharata Beholds Rama’s Forest Bed

Devanagari script

शून्यसंवरणारक्षामयन्त्रितहयद्विपाम्।अपावृतपुरद्वारां राजधानीमरक्षिताम्।।2.88.24।।अप्रहृष्टबलां शून्यां विषमस्थामनावृताम्।शत्रवो नाभिमन्यन्ते भक्षान्विषकृतानिव।।2.88.25।।

Transliteration

śūnyasaṃvaraṇārakṣām ayantritahayadvipām |

apāvṛtapuradvārāṃ rājadhānīm arakṣitām ||

aprahṛṣṭabalāṃ śūnyāṃ viṣamasthām anāvṛtām |

śatravo nābhimanyante bhakṣān viṣakṛtān iva ||

Translation

This repeats the prior portrayal: Ayodhyā, with gates left open and defenses failing, its forces disheartened and its weakness exposed, is so stricken that even enemies would avoid taking it—like food tainted with poison.

Context

Now the gates of our capital city (Ayodhya) are wide open. The city is unprotected and endangered. There are no guards to keep vigil over the ramparts. The horses and elephants are not in control (hence unprepared for battle). The army is unhappy and demoralised. At this state even the enemies will not like to seize the city, they will shun it like food mixed with poison.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhyā (capital city implied by rājadhānī)
• enemies (śatravaḥ)

FAQs

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

The same rāja-dharma warning is reinforced through repetition: governance must preserve order, discipline, and public confidence.

What is the narrative situation?

A repeated/duplicated śloka in the transmission underscores the capital’s vulnerability and demoralization.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Persistence in counsel—repeating the point to ensure the gravity of the crisis is understood.