Valmiki Ramayana 2.67.17: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 17
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः
The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm
नाराजके जनपदे उद्यानानि समागताः ।
सायाह्ने क्रीडितुं यान्ति कुमार्यो हेमभूषिताः ॥१७॥
nārājake janapade udyānāni samāgatāḥ |
sāyāhne krīḍituṃ yānti kumāryo hemabhūṣitāḥ ||17||
जहाँ राजा नहीं होता, वहाँ लड़कियाँ शाम के टाइम गार्डन में खेलने नहीं जाती। वो सोना पहेंती हैं, साथ में होती हैं, फिर भी डर लगता है। बाहर निकलने की हिम्मत नहीं होती।
In a country without a king, young ladies adorned with golden ornaments no longer meet in the evening at the pleasure garden for sporting.
FAQs
A dharmic ruler provides security enabling ordinary life—especially the safe movement of vulnerable members of society—without fear.
The speakers illustrate social insecurity under anarchy: even routine evening recreation in public gardens becomes impossible.
Protectiveness (rakṣā) as a royal virtue—good rule is measured by the safety of everyday citizens.
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