Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 33, Shloka 25
त्रयस्त्रिंशः सर्गः
Civic Lament and Rama’s Dutiful Approach to Daśaratha
तृणमांस फलादानां देशं व्यालमृगद्विजम्।।2.33.24।।प्रपद्यतां हि कैकेयी सपुत्रा सह बान्धवैः।राघवेण वने सर्वे वयं वत्स्याम निर्वृताः।।2.33.25।।
tṛṇa-māṃsa-phalādānāṃ deśaṃ vyāla-mṛga-dvijam |
prapadyatāṃ hi kaikeyī sa-putrā saha bāndhavaiḥ |
rāghaveṇa vane sarve vayaṃ vatsyāma nirvṛtāḥ ||
草・肉・果を食むものども、すなわち蛇と獣と鳥に満ちたその地は、カイケーイーが子と親族とともに受け取ればよい。われらは皆、ラाघヴァとともに森に住み、安らぎに満たされよう。
Let Kaikeyi take possession of our deserted and dilapidated homes with ruined courtyards which seem as though struck by calamities. They are drained of wealth and foodgrains, covered with dust and abandoned by the gods. There is no water or smoke (from kitchen). They are infested with rats. They stand unswept. There foodgrains lie around ratholes, and broken earthenwares lie scattered. There are no offerings, no sacrifices, no recitation of sacred hymns, no libations and no invocations.
FAQs
True welfare lies in dharma, not territory: the citizens reject unjust gain and choose hardship alongside the righteous.
Citizens declare that Kaikeyī may keep a realm fit for wild creatures, while they will live peacefully with Rāma in the forest.
Contentment through righteousness (nirvṛti): peace arises from aligning life with satya and dharma, even in exile.