Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 59, Shloka 18
एकोनषष्ठितमः सर्गः (Sarga 59): सुमन्त्रवाक्यं, अयोध्याविषादः, दाशरथिशोकसागरः
नामित्राणां न मित्राणामुदासीनजनस्य च।अहमार्ततया किञ्चिद्विशेषमुपलक्षये।।2.59.18।।
na amitrāṇāṃ na mitrāṇām udāsīna-janasya ca |
aham ārtatayā kiṃcid viśeṣam upalakṣaye ||2.59.18||
नामित्राणां न मित्राणामुदासीनजनस्य च। अहमार्ततया किञ्चिद्विशेषं नोपलक्षये॥
O maharaja, Ayodhya is filled with cheerless people with deep sighs, agonised voices and pale faces depressed and distressed due to Rama's exile. (Even) elephants and horses look spiritless. For me it (the city) resembles (dejected) Kausalya deprived of her son.
FAQs
Dharma’s social power: righteousness can unify society beyond factional lines; grief becomes universal when a truly dharmic figure is wronged or removed.
Sumantra reports that all groups in the city reacted with the same sorrow at Rama’s absence.
Rama’s impartial benevolence (sarva-hita): even those not aligned with him are moved, implying his universally recognized goodness.