Valmiki Ramayana 2.12.11: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 11
द्वादशः सर्गः · Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
कौसल्यां वा सुमित्रां वा त्यजेयमपि वा श्रियम् ॥११॥
जीवितं वाऽत्मनो रामं न त्वेव पितृवत्सलम् ।
kausalyāṃ vā sumitrāṃ vā tyajeyam api vā śriyam ||11||
jīvitaṃ vā ’tmano rāmaṃ na tv eva pitṛvatsalam |
Ich könnte Kaushalyā oder Sumitrā verlassen, ja sogar Wohlstand aufgeben; selbst mein eigenes Leben — doch Rāma, der seinem Vater so liebevoll ergeben ist, kann ich nicht verlassen.
I shall give up Kausalya or Sumitra or all my wealth or even my own life but I cannot leave Rama who is devoted to his father.
FAQs
The verse elevates filial duty (pitr̥dharma) as a defining virtue: Rāma’s steadfast devotion to his father is presented as morally non-negotiable and worthy of unwavering support.
Daśaratha is confronting Kaikeyī after her harsh demands; he declares that he cannot bear separation from Rāma, especially because Rāma is exemplary in obedience to paternal duty.
Rāma’s pitr̥bhakti—devotion and obedience to his father—is emphasized as an ideal virtue.
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