Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 24, Shloka 11
कौशल्यारामसंवादः
Kausalya–Rama Dialogue on Exile-Dharma
कैकेय्या वञ्चितो राजा मयि चारण्यमाश्रिते।भवत्या च परित्यक्तो न नूनं वर्तयिष्यति।।2.24.11।।
kaikeyyā vañcito rājā mayi cāraṇyam āśrite | bhavatyā ca parityakto na nūnaṃ vartayiṣyati ||
Der König ist von Kaikeyī betrogen worden. Wenn ich in den Wald gehe, und auch du ihn verlässt, wird er gewiss nicht am Leben bleiben.
The king was deceived by Kaikeyi. If you also desert him after I have gone to the forest, surely he will not live.
FAQs
Dharma here is non-abandonment: even amid injustice, one must protect the vulnerable—especially one’s spouse/elder—through loyal care and presence.
Rāma anticipates his departure to the forest and warns Kauśalyā that Daśaratha, already shaken by Kaikeyī’s deception, may not endure further desertion.
Rāma’s compassion and responsibility: he thinks first of his father’s survival and his mother’s duty, not of his own suffering.