Valmiki Ramayana 2.76.8 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 76, Shloka 8
दशरथस्य अन्त्येष्टि
विधानम् — Dasaratha’s Funeral Rites and Ayodhya’s Mourning
योगक्षेमं तु ते राजन् कोऽस्मिन्कल्पयिता पुरेत्वयि प्रयाते स्वस्तात रामे च वनमाश्रिते।।2.76.8।।
yogakṣemaṃ tu te rājan ko 'smin kalpayitā pure |
tvayi prayāte svaḥ tāta rāme ca vanam āśrite ||2.76.8||
ஏ அரசே, அன்புத் தந்தையே! நீங்கள் ஸ்வர்க்கம் சென்றபின், ஸ்ரீராமன் வனத்தில் தஞ்சமடைந்தபின்—இந்த நகரின் யோகக்ஷேமம், நலமும் பாதுகாப்பும் யார் ஏற்படுத்துவர்?
O king! O father! you have gone to heaven and Rama has taken shelter in the forest now. Who will take care of the welfare and security of your city?
FAQs
It stresses rājadharma: the ruler’s duty is to ensure yogakṣema (public welfare and protection). The lament shows that governance is a moral responsibility, not merely power.
Bharata mourns the vacuum of leadership: Daśaratha has died and Rāma, the rightful protector, is exiled.
Daśaratha’s role as guardian-king is implied—his kingship is remembered as the source of stability and protection for Ayodhyā.
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