Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 64, Shloka 64
शब्दवेध्य-अनर्थः, ऋषिशापः, दशरथस्य प्राणत्यागः
The Sound-Target Tragedy, the Sage’s Curse, and Dasaratha’s Death
दुर्वृत्तमपि कः पुत्रं त्यजेद्भुवि विचक्षणः।कश्च प्रव्राज्यमानो वा नासूयेत्पितरं सुतः।।।।
durvṛttam api kaḥ putraṁ tyajed bhuvi vicakṣaṇaḥ | kaś ca pravrājyamāno vā nāsūyet pitaraṁ sutaḥ ||
Who, being discerning in this world, would abandon a son even if he were ill-conducted? And what son, when being banished, would not resent his father?
Which clear-sighted man in this world, will abandon his son even if he is of evil conduct? Which son will not get angry with his father when he is banished?
FAQs
It highlights the natural pull of familial duty and affection, and the moral tension created when royal duty (banishment) violates that bond.
In his final anguish, Daśaratha reflects on how unnatural it is for a father to abandon a son—and how understandable resentment would be—thereby underscoring Rāma’s exceptional restraint.
Rāma’s kṣamā and maryādā: despite exile, he does not turn against his father, surpassing ordinary human reaction.