Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 26
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
शुश्रूषां गौरवं चैव प्रमाणं वचनक्रियाम्।कस्ते भूयस्तरं कुर्यादन्यत्र मनुजर्षभात्।।।।बहूनां स्त्रीसहस्राणां बहूनां चोपजीविनाम्।
śuśrūṣāṃ gauravaṃ caiva pramāṇaṃ vacanakriyām | kas te bhūyastaraṃ kuryād anyatra manujarṣabhāt || bahūnāṃ strīsahasrāṇāṃ bahūnāṃ copajīvinām |
Wer außer Rāma —dem Stier unter den Menschen— würde dir größeren Dienst und höhere Ehre erweisen, dein Wort als maßgebliche Autorität gelten lassen und deine Befehle ausführen, selbst inmitten tausender Frauen und vieler Diener?
There are many thousands of women and attendants (in the inner apartment), but who will do greater service and honour you more than Rama, the best among men in the execution of your orders.
FAQs
Dharma values seva (service), respect, and faithful execution of rightful instructions—qualities that sustain ethical governance and family order.
Daśaratha stresses that Rāma is uniquely devoted in service and obedience, questioning the rationale of sending such a son away.
Rāma’s exemplary service, respectfulness, and reliability in carrying out duties (vācana-kriyā) are emphasized.