Citizens' Sorrowful Return Without Rama
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 47
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 47
Witness the citizens of Ayodhya's heart-wrenching grief as Rama departs for exile. Their anguish, loyalty, and despair paint a vivid picture of devotion in this poignant Ramayana passage.
As night gave way to dawn, the citizens of Ayodhya (the capital city of the Kosala kingdom) were stunned to find Rama absent. Overwhelmed with sorrow, they lost their senses. Tears of grief drenched their faces as they looked frantically in all directions, unable to find even a trace of their beloved prince.
These high-minded people, separated from the wise Rama, expressed their anguish in piteous words that evoked compassion:
The citizens cried out:
"Curse this sleep that robbed us of our senses! We can no longer see our broad-chested, mighty-armed Rama."
"How could Rama, who never forgets a service done to him, abandon his devoted people and go into exile?"
"Rama, the best among the Raghu dynasty (a royal lineage known for its virtuous kings), protected us like a father protects his own children. How could he desert us and go to the forest?"
"Without Rama, our lives are meaningless. Let us end our lives here or embark on the great journey (a reference to death). What purpose does life serve without Rama?"
In their despair, the citizens suggested: "There are plenty of dry logs here. Let's prepare a pyre, set it aflame, and all enter the fire together."
The citizens pondered their return to the city:
"What shall we say to the people? How can we admit that we conducted Rama, the mighty-armed prince of gentle speech and free from malice, to the forest?"
"Surely, when they see us return without Rama, the women, children, and the aged of Ayodhya will be dejected and cheerless."
"We left the city with the valiant and self-restrained Rama. How can we now return without him?"
The grief-stricken citizens lamented in various ways, raising their arms in despair like cows separated from their calves. They followed the chariot tracks for a short while, but soon lost their way and were submerged in deep sorrow.
Unable to find the chariot's path, these high-minded people turned back, saying, "What is this? We have been deceived by fate. What are we to do now?"
With heavy hearts, they returned to Ayodhya the same way they had come. As they approached the city, tears streamed from their eyes, oppressed with sorrow.
Upon reaching Ayodhya, the citizens observed:
"This city without Rama looks as desolate as a river whose serpents have been lifted away by Garuda (the mythical eagle mount of Lord Vishnu)."
"Ayodhya appears as empty as the sky without the moon or an ocean without water."
Overcome with grief, they entered their once-opulent homes with great difficulty. Their sorrow was so intense that they could not recognize their own family members or others, even as they looked at them.
This concludes the forty seventh chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.