Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 54
अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः
Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile
अथापि किं जीवितमद्य मे वृथात्वया विना चन्द्रनिभाननप्रभ।अनुव्रजिष्यामि वनं त्वयैव गौस्सुदुर्बला वत्समिवानुकाङ्क्षया।।।।
athāpi kiṃ jīvitam adya me vṛthā tvayā vinā candranibhānanaprabha |
anuvrajiṣyāmi vanaṃ tvayaiva gauḥ sudurbalā vatsam ivānukāṅkṣayā ||
Even so, what use is my life today—empty without you, O one whose face shines like the full moon? I will follow you to the forest, like a weakened cow yearning for her calf with longing affection.
What is the use of this life now? What is life without you whose countenance glows like the full Moon? Like a cow emaciated by its search for the calf, I will follow you into the forest.
FAQs
It underscores the dharmic tension between personal attachment and righteous duty: Kausalya’s longing seeks to follow Rama, while the wider epic frames separation as part of dharma-bound obedience and sacrifice.
In the aftermath of the exile decision, Kausalya expresses that life without Rama is meaningless and declares her impulse to accompany him into the forest.
Steadfast maternal devotion (vātsalya) and loyalty—her identity and will are portrayed as bound to Rama’s presence.