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

Devanagari script

नाराजके जनपदे उद्यानानि समागताः।सायाह्ने क्रीडितुं यान्ति कुमार्यो हेमभूषिताः।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.67.17

Transliteration

nārājake janapade udyānāni samāgatāḥ | sāyāhne krīḍituṃ yānti kumāryo hemabhūṣitāḥ ||

Translation

Di negeri tanpa raja, para gadis yang berhias perhiasan emas—meski telah berkumpul—tidak pergi pada senja hari ke taman-taman untuk bermain dan bersuka ria.

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Word by Word

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/negation marker)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: निषेधार्थक-अव्यय

• arājake: in a kingless (state)
• arājake: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-rājaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• janapade: in the country
• janapade: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: janapada (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• udyānāni: to the gardens
• udyānāni: Karma (कर्म; destination as object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: udyāna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, बहुवचन

• samāgatāḥ: having gathered
• samāgatāḥ: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sam-ā-gata (प्रातिपदिक; सम् + आ + √gam (धातु) से क्त)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; क्त-प्रत्ययान्त भूतकृदन्त; कुमार्यः इति विशेष्येण सह

• sāyāhne: in the evening
• sāyāhne: Adhikarana (अधिकरण/time)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sāya-āhna (प्रातिपदिक; साय + अह्न)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; तत्पुरुषः (सायं-अह्नि = evening time)

• krīḍitum: to play
• krīḍitum: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/purpose)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √krīḍ (धातु)
• Form: तुमुन्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय-भावः (infinitive of purpose)

• yānti: go
• yānti: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √yā (धातु)
• Form: लट् (Present), प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन; परस्मैपद

• kumāryaḥ: maidens
• kumāryaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kumārī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन

• hemabhūṣitāḥ: adorned with gold
• hemabhūṣitāḥ: Karta (कर्ता; apposition)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: hema-bhūṣita (प्रातिपदिक; हेम + भूषित)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुषः (हेमेन भूषिताः)

Context

In a country without a king, pleasure-seeking men will not drive in the woods on swift-moving chariots with women.

Characters & Entities

• udyāna (garden)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

A dharmic ruler provides security enabling ordinary life—especially the safe movement of vulnerable members of society—without fear.

What is the narrative situation?

The speakers illustrate social insecurity under anarchy: even routine evening recreation in public gardens becomes impossible.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protectiveness (rakṣā) as a royal virtue—good rule is measured by the safety of everyday citizens.