Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 26, Shloka 31
अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः
Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct
माता च मम कौशल्या वृद्धा सन्तापकर्शिता।धर्ममेवाग्रतः कृत्वा त्वत्त स्सम्मानमर्हति।।।।
mātā ca mama kauśalyā vṛddhā santāpa-karśitā |
dharmam evāgrataḥ kṛtvā tvattaḥ sammānam arhati ||
Meine Mutter Kauśalyā ist betagt und von Kummer gezeichnet; darum sollst du, das Dharma voranstellend, ihr die gebührende Ehre und Achtung erweisen.
What is more important is that you should look on Bharata as your brother and Satrughna as your son. They are dearer to me than my life.
FAQs
Dharma requires honoring elders—especially one’s mother—and giving compassionate respect to those afflicted by suffering.
As Rāma prepares to leave for the forest, he instructs Sītā on how to behave in the palace, beginning with reverence to Kauśalyā.
Filial piety and compassion: Rāma foregrounds his mother’s vulnerable state and makes her care a moral priority.