Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 6
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
देवकल्पमृजुं दान्तं रिपूणामपि वत्सलम्।अवेक्षमाणः को धर्मं त्यजेत्पुत्रमकारणात्।।2.21.6।।
devakalpam ṛjuṁ dāntaṁ ripūṇām api vatsalam | avekṣamāṇaḥ ko dharmaṁ tyajet putram akāraṇāt || 2.21.6 ||
Wer würde, den Dharma missachtend, ohne Grund einen Sohn verlassen, der einem Gott gleicht—aufrichtig, selbstbeherrscht und selbst seinen Feinden lieb?
Whatever a preceptor, an old man, a king and a father commands whether it is out of anger or pleasure or passion must be carried out as dharma. Who will not do it unless he is heartless?
FAQs
Dharma forbids abandoning the innocent without just cause; moral governance and family duty require fairness, restraint, and reasoned judgment.
In Ayodhyā, amid the turmoil around Daśaratha’s decision and the impending exile, Rāma argues that abandoning a virtuous son without cause would violate dharma.
Rāma’s portrayal emphasizes self-control, uprightness, and universal goodwill—so exemplary that even enemies feel affection.