Valmiki Ramayana 2.67.2 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 2

अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः

The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm

Devanagari script

व्यतीतायां तु शर्वर्यामादित्यस्योदये ततः।समेत्य राजकर्तारः सभामीयुर्द्विजातयः।।।।

Transliteration

vyatītāyāṃ tu śarvaryām ādityasyodaye tataḥ | sametya rājakartāraḥ sabhām īyur dvijātayaḥ ||

Translation

ครั้นราตรีล่วงไปแล้ว และเมื่อพระอาทิตย์ทรงอุทัย เหล่าทวิชะพราหมณ์ผู้ประกอบพิธีราชาภิเษกก็พร้อมเพรียงกัน แล้วพากันไปยังท้องพระโรงสภา

Word by Word

• vyatītāyām: when (it) had passed
• vyatītāyām: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vi-ati-i (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन; ‘शर्वर्याम्’ इत्यनेन सह सप्तमी-सम्बन्ध (locative absolute)

• tu: then/but
• tu: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात

• śarvaryām: in the night
• śarvaryām: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śarvarī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• ādityasya: of the sun
• ādityasya: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: āditya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• udaye: at rising
• udaye: Adhikarana (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: udaya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• tataḥ: then
• tataḥ: Adverbial (क्रम)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tataḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: क्रम/अपादानार्थक अव्यय (then/thereupon)

• sametya: having assembled
• sametya: Purvakala (पूर्वकाल)
• Type: Verb
• Root: sam-i (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (क्त्वा), अव्ययभाव

• rāja-kartāraḥ: royal functionaries (makers of royal rites)
• rāja-kartāraḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: rāja + kartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; षष्ठी-तत्पुरुष (राज्ञः कर्तारः = राजकार्यकर्तारः)

• sabhām: assembly hall
• sabhām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sabhā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; गत्यर्थक क्रियायाः कर्म

• īyuḥ: went/reached
• īyuḥ: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: i (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, बहुवचन

• dvijātayaḥ: brahmins (twice-born)
• dvijātayaḥ: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: dvijāti (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, बहुवचन; तत्पुरुष (द्विः जाताः = द्विजाः)

Context

In a country where there is no king, no assemblies are convened by pleasure seeking people, nor do they build delightful gardens or sacred edifices.

Characters & Entities

• sabhā (assembly hall)

FAQs

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

The verse underscores rajadharma: legitimate kingship is established through sanctioned rites and collective counsel, indicating that political authority should arise from dharmic procedure rather than force.

What is the narrative situation?

At daybreak, brahmins responsible for coronation/investiture rites gather and proceed to the assembly hall, preparing for deliberation and action regarding the kingdom’s leadership.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Institutional responsibility and discipline—those entrusted with sacred civic duties act promptly and in an orderly manner to uphold social and political stability.