Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 42
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
दूरेऽपि निवसन्तं त्वां मानसेनाग्रतः स्थितम्।चिन्तयन्तोऽद्य नूनं त्वां निराहाराः कृताः प्रजाः।।2.52.42।।
dūre ’pi nivasantaṃ tvāṃ mānasenāgrataḥ sthitam | cintayanto ’dya nūnaṃ tvāṃ nirāhārāḥ kṛtāḥ prajāḥ ||
纵然你远居他方，百姓仍在心中将你置于眼前，如同你正立在他们面前。今日他们必定不进饮食，只沉浸于对你的思念之中。
Although living at a distance, the subjects feel in their minds that you are just ahead of them. Today they will certainly go without food, brooding over you.
FAQs
The verse highlights rājadharma’s moral bond between a righteous prince and his subjects: when the ruler embodies dharma, the people’s welfare and even their daily life (food, routine) become emotionally tied to him.
Sumantra, preparing to return toward Ayodhyā after escorting Rāma into exile, tells Rāma that the citizens will suffer intensely in his absence.
Rāma’s virtue as an ideal leader—his perceived righteousness inspires deep loyalty and concern among the people.