Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 66, Shloka 15
अयोध्यायां शोकविलापः
Lamentation in Ayodhya after Daśaratha’s death
न तु सङ्कलनं राज्ञो विना पुत्रेण मन्त्रिणः।सर्वज्ञाः कर्तुमीषुस्ते ततो रक्षन्ति भूमिपम्।।।।
na tu saṅkalanaṃ rājño vinā putreṇa mantriṇaḥ |
sarvajñāḥ kartum īṣuḥ te tato rakṣanti bhūmipam ||
Ngunit ang mga ministro, bihasa sa mga batas ng ritwal, ay hindi ninais tipunin at isagawa ang mga obsequies ng hari nang walang anak na naroroon; kaya binantayan nila ang katawan ng pinuno.
The counsellors who were acquainted with all such matters (relating to the king's funeral) were unwilling to perform the obsequies in the absence of any of the king's sons. Meanwhile, they kept watch over the deadbody of the king.
FAQs
The verse highlights pitṛ-dharma and ritual propriety: the son’s role in performing final rites is treated as a dharmic obligation, so the ministers delay the obsequies until a rightful performer is present.
Daśaratha has died, and Rāma is in exile; the ministers preserve the body and postpone the rites awaiting the arrival of a son (notably Bharata).
Respect for tradition and lawful procedure (vidhi), coupled with guardianship and responsibility.