Valmiki Ramayana 2.67.26: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 26
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः
The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm
नाराजके जनपदे नराश्शास्त्रविशारदाः।संवदन्तोऽवतिष्ठन्ते वनेषूपवनेषु च।।।।
nārājake janapade narāḥ śāstraviśāradāḥ | saṃvadanto 'vatiṣṭhante vaneṣūpavaneṣu ca ||
नाराजके जनपदे शास्त्रविशारदा नराः वनेषु उपवनेषु च संवदन्तोऽपि निश्चिन्तं नावतिष्ठन्ते; विद्यापि तत्र न सुरक्षितं आश्रयं लभते।
In a country with no king people proficient in scriptures do not withdraw to the forests and (recreational) gardens for debates (on scriptures).
FAQs
Governance is dharmically required to protect knowledge-culture; without safety, study, dialogue, and ethical reasoning cannot thrive.
The counselors argue that anarchy corrodes not only wealth and defense but also scholarship and civil discourse.
Patronage and protection of learning—ensuring conditions for truthful inquiry (satya-vicāra) and dharmic debate.
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