Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 11
एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः
Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma
एवं मन्ये गुणवतां गुणानां फलमुच्यते।पित्रा मात्रा च यत्साधुर्वीरो निर्वास्यते वनम्।।2.39.11।।
evaṃ manye guṇavatāṃ guṇānāṃ phalam ucyate | pitrā mātrā ca yat sādhur vīro nirvāsyate vanam || 2.39.11 ||
Ich meine, dies ist es, was man die «Frucht» der Tugenden bei den Tugendhaften nennt: dass ein so rechtschaffener und heldenhafter Sohn von seinem eigenen Vater und seiner Mutter in den Wald verbannt wird.
That the pious and heroic son is banished by his parents to the forest is, I think, the reward to the virtuous for his virtues.
FAQs
The verse highlights the paradox of dharma in the world: virtue does not always yield immediate comfort; righteousness may be tested through suffering, yet remains the standard of truth and conduct.
As arrangements for exile proceed, Sumantra reflects bitterly on the irony that a righteous hero like Rāma is being sent to the forest by his own parents.
Rāma’s goodness and heroism are affirmed, while Sumantra’s moral sensitivity and grief at injustice are emphasized.