Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 5
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः
The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm
अतीता शर्वरी दुःखं या नो वर्षशतोपमा।अस्मिन्पञ्चत्वमापन्ने पुत्रशोकेन पार्थिवे।।।।
atītā śarvarī duḥkhaṃ yā no varṣaśatopamā | asmin pañcatvam āpanne putraśokena pārthive ||
పుత్రశోకంతో వ్యాకులుడైన ఈ పార్థివ రాజు పంచత్వాన్ని పొందాడు; అందువల్ల గడిచిన ఈ రాత్రి మాకు శతవర్షాలంత దుఃఖమయంగా అనిపించింది।
While king Dasaratha died on account of grief over (separation from) his son and rejoined the five elements, the sorrowful night seemed like a hundred years for us. (commented the assembly of ministers).
FAQs
It underscores the dharmic reality of impermanence: even a king is subject to death, and governance must respond responsibly rather than collapse into private grief.
After Rāma’s exile, King Daśaratha dies from sorrow; the ministers reflect on the dreadful night and the crisis of succession.
Administrative sobriety and responsibility in crisis—placing the kingdom’s welfare above emotional paralysis.