Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 22, Shloka 8
अभिषेक-निवृत्ति-उपदेशः
Withdrawal of the Coronation: Rama’s Counsel to Lakshmana
न बुद्धिपूर्वं नाबुद्धं स्मरामीह कदाचन।मातृ़णां वा पितुर्वाऽहं कृतमल्पं च विप्रियम्।।।।
na buddhi-pūrvaṃ nābuddhaṃ smarāmīha kadācana | mātṝṇāṃ vā pitur vā ’haṃ kṛtam alpaṃ ca vipriyam ||
I do not recall ever—whether knowingly or through heedlessness—having done even the slightest thing here that displeased my mothers or my father.
O Lakshmana! the same enthusiasm with which preparations for my consecration were made be shown for the cessation of those arrangements.
FAQs
Dharma is careful conduct toward parents/elders—Rāma frames his life as one of conscientious non-harm in word and deed.
In the midst of the coronation reversal, Rāma reflects on his lifelong effort not to cause displeasure to his father or mothers.
Vinaya (humility) and śīla (good character)—a disciplined life attentive to familial duty.