Ramayana — Yuddha Kanda, Sarga 83, Shloka 31
त्र्यशीतितमः सर्गः (Sarga 83)
Hanumān Reports Sītā’s ‘Slaying’; Rāma Collapses; Lakṣmaṇa’s Counter-Discourse on Dharma and Artha
ममचेदंमतंतातधरोऽयमितिराघव ।धर्ममूलंत्वयाछिन्नंराज्यमुत्सृजतातदा ।।6.83.31।।
mama ced idaṃ mataṃ tāta dharo 'yam iti rāghava | dharma-mūlaṃ tvayā chinnaṃ rājyam utsṛjatā tadā ||6.83.31||
Dies ist auch meine Ansicht, lieber Rāghava: „Dies ist Dharma.“ Doch als du damals das Königtum aufgabst, schnittest du Dharma an seiner Wurzel ab.
"Dear Raghava! In my opinion also depending on desire and context, following dharma or adharma is proper. You have severed the roots of dharma by giving up the kingdom."
FAQs
It frames kingship as a foundation for social dharma (rāja-dharma); renouncing the throne is portrayed (by the speaker) as undermining that foundation.
The speaker revisits Rāma’s acceptance of exile and relinquishment of rule, interpreting it as a pivotal ethical decision with societal consequences.
Rāma’s self-sacrifice is central, though the speaker controversially questions its prudence.