Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 41, Shloka 17
अयोध्यायाः शोकप्रकम्पः
Ayodhya’s Tremor of Grief and Omens
बाष्पपर्याकुलमुखो राजमार्गगतो जनः।न हृष्टो लक्ष्यते कश्चित्सर्व श्शोकपरायणः।।2.41.17।।
bāṣpaparyākulamukho rājamārgagato janaḥ | na hṛṣṭo lakṣyate kaścit sarvaḥ śokaparāyaṇaḥ || 2.41.17 ||
राजमार्ग पर चलने वाले लोगों के मुख आँसुओं से व्याकुल थे; कोई भी प्रसन्न दिखाई न देता था—सब शोक में ही निमग्न थे।
The faces of the people on the highway were turbid with tears. None looked happy. All were plunged in sorrow.
FAQs
The verse reflects communal dharma: society collectively responds to the loss of righteousness and protection, indicating that moral events are not private but shared responsibilities and shared wounds.
Citizens gather or move along the main royal road, openly weeping after Rama’s exile, with no signs of celebration anywhere.
The citizens’ bhakti-like devotion and solidarity—an emotional allegiance to Rama and the royal family’s ideal order.