Valmiki Ramayana 2.67.24 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 67, Shloka 24
अयोध्यायां शोक-रात्रिः तथा अराजक-राष्ट्रस्य नीतिविचारः
The Night of Lamentation in Ayodhya and the Political Ethics of a Kingless Realm
नाराजके जनपदे योगक्षेमं प्रवर्तते।नचाप्यराजके सेना शत्रून्विषहते युधि।।।।
nārājake janapade yogakṣemaṃ pravartate | na cāpy arājake senā śatrūn viṣahate yudhi ||
ในแว่นแคว้นที่ไร้พระราชา ย่อมไม่มียคะ-เกษมะ คือความมั่นคงในการรักษาสิ่งที่มีและความร่มเย็นแห่งการได้มาใหม่; และเมื่อไร้ราชธรรม กองทัพก็ไม่อาจต้านทานศัตรูในสงครามได้
In a country without a king, there is no security of possessions and the army cannot withstand the enemy in a battle.
FAQs
Kingship is a dharmic institution for yogakṣema—ensuring welfare, protection of property, and collective defense; without it, both prosperity and security collapse.
The counselors argue for immediate establishment of rule, warning that internal insecurity and external threats rise together in a leaderless state.
Steadfast protection (rakṣā) and strategic strength—virtues expected of righteous governance.
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