Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 47, Shloka 14
अयोध्यायाः पौरविलापः
Lament of the Citizens of Ayodhya on Rama’s Absence
रथस्य मार्गनाशेन न्यवर्तन्त मनस्विनः।किमिदं किं करिष्यामो दैवेनोपहता इति।।।।
rathasya mārga-nāśena nyavartanta manasvinaḥ | kim idaṃ kiṃ kariṣyāmo daivenopahatā iti || 2.47.14 ||
రథపు జాడ కనబడకపోవడంతో ఆ ధీరులు తిరిగి మళ్లారు; “ఇది ఏమిటి? దైవాఘాతంతో మేము ఇప్పుడు ఏమి చేయాలి?” అని అన్నారు।
When they could not find the tracks of the chariot, those high-minded people turned back and said to themselves 'What is this? We have been deceived by fate. What are we to do now?'
FAQs
The verse frames a dhārmic tension: people strive to act rightly, yet acknowledge limits when events seem governed by daiva; the ethical response is to turn back without abandoning reverence for Rama.
Unable to find the chariot’s track, the citizens stop pursuing and return, lamenting their helplessness.
Nobility under distress—maintaining composure and collective decision-making even when overwhelmed.