Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 31
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः
The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm
नाराजके जनपदे स्वकं भवति कस्यचित्।मत्स्या इव नरा नित्यं भक्षयन्ति परस्परम्।।।।
nārājake janapade svakaṃ bhavati kasyacit |
matsyā iva narā nityaṃ bhakṣayanti parasparam || 2.67.31 ||
Di negeri tanpa raja, tiada sesuatu pun sungguh menjadi milik siapa pun; manusia, laksana ikan, senantiasa saling memangsa tanpa henti.
In a country where there is no king, no one can own anything and, like fish, people devour one another ceaselessly.
FAQs
Dharma requires a legitimate authority to protect rights and restrain violence; without rulership, society collapses into predation where the strong exploit the weak.
The assembly warns Vasiṣṭha that the kingdom cannot remain leaderless after Daśaratha’s death.
Protective governance—restraint, justice, and safeguarding of property and life.