Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 23
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः
The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm
नाराजके जनपदे चरत्येकचरो वशी।भावयन्नात्मनाऽत्मानं यत्र सायंगृहो मुनिः।।।।
nārājake janapade caraty ekacaro vaśī | bhāvayann ātmanātmānaṃ yatra sāyaṃgṛho muniḥ ||
રાજાવિહોણા જનપદમાં એકલો વિચરતો, ઇન્દ્રિયજિત અને આત્મચિંતનમાં લીન મુનિ પણ નિર્ભયે ફરતો નથી, ન સાંજ સુધી શાંતિભર્યું આશ્રય પામે છે.
In a country where there is no king, an ascetic who (normally) moves alone, self-controlled and contemplating on the higher self no longer wanders or rests in the inn.
FAQs
A ruler’s dharma is to secure the realm so that even renunciants can pursue spiritual practice without fear; governance protects both worldly and spiritual life.
The council continues enumerating signs of disorder, stressing that insecurity affects not only traders and soldiers but also peaceful ascetics.
Compassionate guardianship—creating conditions where the vulnerable and the peaceful can live and move unharmed.