Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 24, Shloka 23
कौशल्यारामसंवादः
Kausalya–Rama Dialogue on Exile-Dharma
यथा मयि तु निष्क्रान्ते पुत्रशोकेन पार्थिवः।श्रमं नावाप्नुयात्किञ्चिदप्रमत्ता तथा कुरु।।2.24.23।।
yathā mayi tu niṣkrānte putra-śokena pārthivaḥ | śramaṃ nāvāpnuyāt kiñcid apramattā tathā kuru || 2.24.23 ||
Wenn ich fortgegangen bin, sorge—mit größter Wachsamkeit—dafür, dass der König aus Kummer um seinen Sohn nicht einmal in die geringste Erschöpfung oder Bedrängnis gerät.
After my departure, you must see that the king is not overpowered by grief for his son and struggles as little as possible.
FAQs
Dharma here is compassion expressed as duty: even while accepting exile, Rāma prioritizes his father’s wellbeing and asks that grief be managed through attentive care.
Rāma instructs Kauśalyā about how to support Daśaratha after Rāma leaves for the forest.
Rāma’s filial responsibility and selflessness—he worries about others’ suffering more than his own.