Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 102, Shloka 38
पितृमरणश्रवणं जलक्रिया च
Hearing of Daśaratha’s death and the libation rites at Mandākinī
अचिरप्रोषितं रामं चिरविप्रोषितं यथा।द्रष्टुकामो जनः सर्वो जगाम सहसाऽऽश्रमम्।।।।
aciraprōṣitaṃ rāmaṃ ciraviprōṣitaṃ yathā |
draṣṭukāmo janaḥ sarvo jagāma sahasā ’śramam ||
राम का वनवास अभी अधिक समय का न था, फिर भी मानो वे बहुत काल से दूर रहे हों—ऐसा समझकर, उन्हें देखने को आतुर समस्त जन सहसा आश्रम की ओर दौड़ पड़े।
The whole multitude of people at once rushed towards the hermitage wishing to see Rama as if he had left long ago though he had gone on exile very recently.
FAQs
Dharma as reverence for the righteous: society is drawn toward a virtuous leader, indicating that moral authority (not mere power) commands hearts.
The wider retinue and public surge toward Rama’s hermitage, unable to bear even brief separation.
Rama’s moral charisma: his perceived righteousness makes his absence feel unbearably long.