Shloka 2.111.10
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकादशोत्तरशततमः सर्गः (Sarga 111: Counsel on Gurus, Parental Debt, and Bharata’s Protest)
यन्मातापितरौ वृत्तं तनये कुरुतस्सदा।न सुप्रतिकरं तत्तु मात्रा पित्रा च यत्कृतम्।।2.111.9।।यथाशक्तिप्रदानेन स्वापनोच्छादनेन च।नित्यं च प्रियवादेन तथा संवर्धनेन च।।2.111.10।।
yan mātā-pitarau vṛttaṃ tanaye kurutas sadā | na supratikaraṃ tat tu mātrā pitrā ca yat-kṛtam ||
yathāśakti-pradānena svāpanochchādanena ca | nityaṃ ca priyavādena tathā saṃvardhanena ca ||
Whatever care and conduct a mother and father continually show toward their child—the gifts they give according to their means, the putting to sleep and clothing, the constant gentle speech, and the very act of rearing—none of that can be easily repaid to mother and father.
The course of action the parents always adopt in respect of their son, the benefits they confer on him according to their resources, the way they lull him to sleep and clothe him, the affectionate words they always speak to him and the way they bring him up all these cannot be repaid.
Filial dharma: parents’ lifelong sacrifices create an unrepayable moral debt, so honoring and obeying them becomes a central duty.
Vasiṣṭha instructs Rāma on righteousness by emphasizing the immeasurable care given by parents, framing Rāma’s choices in terms of gratitude and duty.
Kṛtajñatā (gratitude) expressed as obedient, respectful conduct toward one’s parents and elders.