Valmiki Ramayana 2.36.26 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 36, Shloka 26
अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः
Daśaratha’s orders for Rama’s escort; Kaikeyi’s fear; the Asamañjasa precedent
इत्येनमत्यजद्राजा सगरो वै सुधार्मिकः।रामः किमकरोत्पापं येनैवमुपरुध्यते।।।।
ity enam atyajad rājā sagaro vai sudhārmikaḥ | rāmaḥ kim akarot pāpaṃ yenaivam uparudhyate ||2.36.26||
«هكذا نبذه الملكُ سَغَرَةُ، وهو حقًّا بالغُ البرّ. فأيُّ شرٍّ اقترفه راما حتى يُقيَّد ويُطرَد على هذا النحو؟»
Highly righteous king Sagara thus banished his son. What sin has Rama committed to secure a similar banishment?
FAQs
Punishment must be proportionate and deserved. Siddhārtha argues from dharma and satya: exile is justified for proven harm, but Rāma is guiltless—therefore the act is ethically incoherent.
After citing Sagara’s righteous banishment of a cruel son, Siddhārtha challenges the present decision by asking what wrongdoing Rāma has committed to merit similar treatment.
Rāma’s moral innocence and blamelessness, serving as the basis for questioning an unjust application of royal power.
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