Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 5
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः
The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm
अतीता शर्वरी दुःखं या नो वर्षशतोपमा।अस्मिन्पञ्चत्वमापन्ने पुत्रशोकेन पार्थिवे।।।।
atītā śarvarī duḥkhaṃ yā no varṣaśatopamā | asmin pañcatvam āpanne putraśokena pārthive ||
Malam yang telah berlalu itu bagi kami penuh duka, seakan-akan seratus tahun lamanya; sebab raja ini, hancur oleh kesedihan atas putranya, telah wafat dan kembali menyatu ke dalam lima unsur.
While king Dasaratha died on account of grief over (separation from) his son and rejoined the five elements, the sorrowful night seemed like a hundred years for us. (commented the assembly of ministers).
FAQs
It underscores the dharmic reality of impermanence: even a king is subject to death, and governance must respond responsibly rather than collapse into private grief.
After Rāma’s exile, King Daśaratha dies from sorrow; the ministers reflect on the dreadful night and the crisis of succession.
Administrative sobriety and responsibility in crisis—placing the kingdom’s welfare above emotional paralysis.