Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 33, Shloka 10
त्रयस्त्रिंशः सर्गः
Civic Lament and Rama’s Dutiful Approach to Daśaratha
अद्य नूनं दशरथस्सत्त्वमाविश्य भाषते।न हि राजा प्रियं पुत्रं विवासयितुमर्हति।।।।
adya nūnaṃ daśarathaḥ sattvam āviśya bhāṣate | na hi rājā priyaṃ putraṃ vivāsayitum arhati ||
حقًّا إن دشارثا اليوم يتكلم كأن قوةً مظلمة قد استولت عليه؛ فالملك لا يليق به أن ينفي ابنه الحبيب.
Surely king Dasaratha possessed of an evil spirit spoke the way he did today. Otherwise, should a king banish his beloved son?
FAQs
It appeals to rāja-dharma: a ruler must protect and uphold justice, not act in a way that destroys the rightful order—especially against a virtuous heir.
The people react with disbelief and anguish at Daśaratha’s decision to send Rāma into exile.
The citizens’ moral clarity and loyalty to righteousness: they recognize Rāma’s worth and judge the banishment as ethically unfit.