Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 102, Shloka 11
पितृमरणश्रवणं जलक्रिया च
Hearing of Daśaratha’s death and the libation rites at Mandākinī
निष्प्रधानामनेकाग्रां नरेन्द्रेण विनाकृताम्।निवृत्तवनवासोऽपि नायोध्यां गन्तु मुत्सहे।।।।
niṣpradhānām anekāgrāṃ narendreṇa vinākṛtām | nivṛttavanavāso 'pi nāyodhyāṃ gantuṃ utsahe || 2.102.11 ||
அரசன் இன்றித் தலைமை இழந்து பலவிதக் குழப்பத்தில் ஆழ்ந்த அந்த அயோத்திக்குத், வனவாசம் முடிந்தபோதும், நான் செல்லத் துணிவதில்லை।
Even after the completion of my exile I do not wish to return to Ayodhya which is directionless, bereft of its chief, the king.
FAQs
A kingdom’s stability depends on rightful leadership; dharma includes concern for social order and the disorientation caused by loss of a righteous ruler.
Rama, grieving, expresses reluctance to return to Ayodhyā because it is now without Daśaratha.
Rama’s sense of responsibility and reverence for rightful authority—he feels the gravity of a realm bereft of its king.