Valmiki Ramayana 2.67.7: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 7

अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः

The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm

Setting: Kekaya countryPlaces named: Kekaya, Rājagṛha, mātāmaha-niveśana (maternal grandfather’s residence)

Devanagari script

उभौ भरतशत्रुघ्नौ केकयेषु परन्तपौ ।

पुरे राजगृहे रम्ये मातामहनिवेशने ॥७॥

Recitation with translationValmiki Ramayana 2.67.7

Transliteration

ubhau bharataśatrughnau kekayeṣu parantapau |

pure rājagṛhe ramye mātāmahaniveśane ||7||

Translation

ശത്രുനിഗ്രഹകരായ ഭരതനും ശത്രുഘ്നനും—ഇരുവരും കേകയദേശത്താണ്; മനോഹരമായ രാജഗൃഹനഗരത്തിൽ, മാതാമഹന്റെ വസതിയിൽ.

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Word by Word

• ikṣvākūṇām: of the Ikshvaku dynasty
• Type: Noun
• Root: ikṣvāku (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Ṣaṣṭhī vibhakti, Bahuvacana; 'of the Ikshvakus'
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)

• iha: here
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iha (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; deśa-adhikaraṇa adverb ('here')
• Role: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

• adya: today/now
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adya (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; kāla-adhikaraṇa adverb ('today/now')
• Role: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)

• eva: indeed/right away
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; avadhāraṇa ('indeed/just')
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)

• kaścit: someone/anyone
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaścid (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; anirdiṣṭa-sarvanāma (indefinite pronoun)
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• rājā: king
• Type: Noun
• Root: rājan (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; predicate-noun with vidhīyatām
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• vidhīyatām: should be appointed
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-√dhā (धातु)
• Form: Loṭ-lakāra (Imperative/लोट्), Prathama puruṣa (3rd person/प्रथमपुरुष), Ekavacana; Ātmanepada; karmavācya sense: 'let (him) be appointed/made'
• Role: Vidhi (विधि/imperative)

• arājakam: kingless
• Type: Adjective
• Root: a-rājaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Napुंसakliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana; viśeṣaṇa of rāṣṭram
• Role: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)

• hi: for/indeed
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: Avyaya; hetu-nipāta (particle 'for/indeed')
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/particle)

• naḥ: our
• Type: Noun
• Root: asmad (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Ṣaṣṭhī, Bahuvacana; pronoun
• Role: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/possessor)

• rāṣṭram: kingdom/state
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāṣṭra (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Napुंसakliṅga, Prathamā, Ekavacana
• Role: Karta (कर्ता)

• vināśam: destruction
• Type: Noun
• Root: vināśa (प्रातिपदik)
• Form: Puṃliṅga, Dvitīyā, Ekavacana
• Role: Karma (कर्म)

• samavāpnuyāt: would attain
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-ava-√āp (धातु)
• Form: Vidhiliṅ-lakāra (Optative/विधिलिङ्), Prathama puruṣa, Ekavacana; Parasmaipada; 'would attain'
• Role: Kriyā (क्रिया)

Sandhi Notes

• ihādyaiva = iha + adya + eva
• kaścidrājā = kaścit + rājā
• arājakaṃ hi = arājakam + hi
• rāṣṭraṅ vināśaṅ = rāṣṭram + vināśam (anusvāra sandhi in some recensions)

Context

Bharata and Satrughna, destroyers of enemies, are at the beautiful city of Rajagriha in the Kekaya kingdom, the palace of their maternal grandfather's palace.

The teaching

Providence may place key actors away from the center; readiness to answer dharma’s call is implied.

Ethical theme

Context-setting for rājadharma

For your practice

Cultivates awareness that comfort can precede sudden duty; supports vigilance (apramāda).

Mood and themes

Rasa

Shanta (peace), with Karuna (compassion)

Mood

Distant, poised, foreboding

Themes

• Dharma
• Itihasa
• Succession
• State stability
• Family ties

Symbolism

Relationships

Cross references

Meter and recitation

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Śatrughna
• Kekaya
• Rājagṛha

FAQs

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

It points to dharma as orderly governance: locating the eligible princes is part of ensuring lawful succession and preventing chaos.

What is the narrative situation?

The ministers note that Bharata and Śatrughna are away in Kekaya, which affects immediate decisions about kingship.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Implied readiness for duty: the princes are identified as rightful stakeholders in the kingdom’s continuity.