अयोध्यायाः पौरविलापः
Lament of the Citizens of Ayodhya on Rama’s Absence
यो नः सदा पालयति पिता पुत्रानिवौरसान्।कथं रघूणां स श्रेष्ठस्त्यक्त्वा नो विपिनं गतः।।।।
yo naḥ sadā pālayati pitā putrān ivaurasān | kathaṃ raghūṇāṃ sa śreṣṭhas tyaktvā no vipinaṃ gataḥ ||
यो नः सदा पालयति पिता पुत्रानिवौरसान्। कथं स रघूणां श्रेष्ठः त्यक्त्वा नः विपिनं गतः॥
Fie on this sleep which robbed us of our senses. We are unable to see (now) that broad-chested and mighty-armed Rama.
It underscores rājadharma: the ruler’s duty is protective care, likened to a father’s duty toward children.
Citizens recall Rāma’s protective nature and cannot comprehend his forest-exile departure.
Rāma’s guardianship and benevolence—treating subjects with familial responsibility.