Canto 2 -
Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa
Chapter 67: The Sages Request Vasiṣṭha to Coronate a son of Daśaratha
Text 2.67.1

आक्रन्दितनिरानन्दा सास्रकण्ठजनाकुला।
अयोध्यायामवतता सा व्यतीयाय शर्वरी॥

ākrandita-nirānandā sāsra-kaṇṭha-janākulā
ayodhyāyām avatatā sā vyatīyāya śarvarī

ākrandita-nirānandā = the night was devoid of joy because of intense lamentation; sa-asra-kaṇṭha-jana-ākulā = throughout the night people were overcome by tears and faltering voices; ayodhyāyām = in Ayodhyā; avatatā = a long; = a; vyatīyāya = passed; śarvarī = night.

A long night passed in Ayodhyā. The night was devoid of joy because of intense lamentation. Throughout the night people were overcome by tears and faltering voices.

This chapter contains a description of the problems that arise in the absence of [a dhārmika] king.

The night appeared long because [the residents of Ayodhyā] were in distress.