Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 41
अष्टादशः सर्गः
Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration
इतीव तस्यां परुषं वदन्त्यांन चैव रामः प्रविवेश शोकम्।प्रविव्यथे चापि महानुभावोराजा तु पुत्रव्यसनाभितप्तः।।।।
itīva tasyāṁ paruṣaṁ vadantyāṁ na caiva rāmaḥ praviveśa śokam | pravivyathe cāpi mahānubhāvo rājā tu putravyasanābhitaptaḥ ||
সে যখন এমন কঠোর বাক্য বলছিল, রাম শোকে নিমজ্জিত হলেন না; কিন্তু মহানুভাব রাজা পুত্রবিপদে দগ্ধ হয়ে গভীর ব্যথায় কাতর হলেন।
Devoted to his father's wellbeing, Rama reflected, Why does not father reciprocate my greeting (like on other days)?
FAQs
Dharma is steady self-mastery: Rāma refuses to be ruled by grief, choosing principled action; the verse contrasts inner discipline with the king’s overwhelming anguish.
After Kaikeyī’s harsh insistence, Rāma remains composed, while Daśaratha suffers intensely at the prospect of his son’s ruin/exile.
Rāma’s equanimity and commitment to dharma; Daśaratha’s deep paternal love (though expressed as debilitating sorrow).