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||
Lieber Bruder, in dieser Welt werden Dharma, Artha und Kāma nach den Früchten beurteilt, die aus dem Dharma erwachsen. In dem Weg, den ich erwählt habe, sind alle drei ohne Zweifel enthalten—wie die treue Fügsamkeit einer Gattin und die geliebte Zuneigung einer Mutter, die mit guten Söhnen gesegnet ist.
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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