Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.56: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 56
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma
based persuasion of Kausalyā
धर्मार्थकामाः खलु तात लोके समीक्षिता धर्मफलोदयेषु ।
ते तत्र सर्वे स्युरसंशयं मे भार्येव वश्याऽभिमता सुपुत्रा ॥५६॥
dharmārthakāmāḥ khalu tāta loke samīkṣitā dharmaphalodayeṣu |
te tatra sarve syur asaṃśayaṃ me bhāryeva vaśyā 'bhimatā suputrā ||56||
ভাই, এই জগতে ধর্ম, অর্থ ও কাম—ধর্মফল থেকে উদ্ভূত ফলের দ্বারা বিচারিত হয়। আমার অভিপ্রেত পথে এ তিনটিই নিঃসন্দেহে আছে—যেমন স্ত্রীর অনুগত বশ্যতা, আর সৎপুত্রপ্রাপ্ত মায়ের প্রিয়তা।
Dharma,artha and kama, O my dear! are adjudged in this world according to the fruits of righteous action. All these three are doubtless there (in my decision to go to the forest), like obedience in a wife and love for the mother in good sons.
FAQs
Dharma is the regulating foundation of human aims: artha and kāma gain legitimacy and harmony when they arise in alignment with dharma.
Rama reasons with Lakshmana, explaining that his decision is not a loss of life’s aims but a dharmic integration of them.
Philosophical clarity and balance—Rama articulates a dharma-centered view of the puruṣārthas.
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