Valmiki Ramayana 2.47.1: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 47, Shloka 1

अयोध्यायाः पौरविलापः

Lament of the Citizens of Ayodhya on Rama’s Absence

Devanagari script

प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्यां पौरास्ते राघवं विना।शोकोपहतनिश्चेष्टा बभूवुर्हतचेतसः।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.47.1

Transliteration

prabhātāyāṃ tu śarvaryāṃ paurās te rāghavaṃ vinā | śokopahata-niśceṣṭā babhūvur hata-cetasaḥ || 2.47.1 ||

Translation

இரவு விடியற்காலமாக மாறியபோது, ராகவனை காணாமல் அந்த நகரமக்கள் துயரால் மனம் நொறுங்கி, அசைவற்றவர்களாய் மயங்கினர்॥

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Word by Word

• śokajāśru-paridyūnāḥ: drenched by grief-born tears
• śokajāśru-paridyūnāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śoka-ja-aśru-paridyūna (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Tatpuruṣa chain; Masculine, Nominative, Plural; qualifies (paurāḥ understood)

• vīkṣamāṇāḥ: looking
• vīkṣamāṇāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √īkṣ (धातु)
• Form: Present active participle (शतृ/वर्तमानकृदन्त), Parasmaipada sense; Masculine, Nominative, Plural

• tataḥ: from there / here
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb

• tataḥ: and there
• tataḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (reduplicated: 'here and there')

• ālokam: sight/trace
• ālokam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āloka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Accusative, Singular

• api: even
• api: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: api (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle (निपात) 'even'

• rāmasya: of Rama
• rāmasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāma (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Genitive, Singular

• na: not
• na: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: na (अव्यय)
• Form: Negation particle

• paśyanti: see
• paśyanti: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √paś (धातु)
• Form: Laṭ-lakāra (लट्, present), Parasmaipada, 3rd person, Plural

• sma: (past marker)
• sma: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sma (अव्यय)
• Form: Particle indicating past/habitual with present form (स्म-निपात)

• duḥkhitāḥ: distressed
• duḥkhitāḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: duḥkhita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Masculine, Nominative, Plural; qualifies subject

Context

When the night advanced towards dawn the citizens were stunned not to see the scion of the Raghus (Rama). Overwhelmed with sorrow they lost their senses.

Characters & Entities

• Ayodhya citizens (paurāḥ)
• Raghava (Rama)
• Ayodhya (implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma is shown through collective loyalty and moral attachment to a righteous ruler; the citizens’ grief reflects how deeply they value Rama’s truthfulness and rightful conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

At dawn, the citizens realize Rama is not with them; the shock of separation leaves them stunned.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The citizens’ fidelity (anurāga) to a dhārmic prince—an ethical bond between ruler and people.