Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 45, Shloka 14
अयोध्यावासिजनानुरागः
The People and Brahmins Follow Rama toward Exile
वहन्तो जवना रामं भो भो जात्यास्तुरङ्गमाः।निवर्तध्वं न गन्तव्यं हिता भवत भर्तरि।।।।
vahanto javanā rāmaṃ bho bho jātyās turaṅgamāḥ |
nivartadhvaṃ na gantavyaṃ hitā bhavata bhartari ||
हे श्रेष्ठ कुल के वेगवान् अश्वो! जो राम को लिए जा रहे हो—लौट आओ, आगे मत बढ़ो। आगे जाना उचित नहीं; अपने स्वामी के प्रति हितकारी बनो॥
O horses of noble breed, turn back! Do not carry your master swiftyly any farther. Do good to him.
FAQs
Dharma is expressed as compassionate concern: the community’s moral instinct seeks to prevent the exile of the righteous, even in heartfelt protest.
As Rāma is being carried away, people cry out to the horses to stop, reflecting their inability to accept his departure.
The citizens’ loyalty and empathy—collective devotion to a dharmic leader.