Shloka 2.12.106
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
विनाऽपि सूर्येण भवेत्प्रवृत्तिरवर्षता वज्रधरेण वाऽपि।रामं तु गच्छन्तमित स्समीक्ष्य जीवेन्न कश्चित्त्विति चेतना मे।।।।
kausalyāṃ vā sumitrāṃ vā tyajeyam api vā śriyam |
jīvitaṃ vā ’tmano rāmaṃ na tv eva pitṛvatsalam ||
I could abandon Kausalyā or Sumitrā, or even renounce prosperity—yes, even my own life; but I cannot abandon Rāma, who is devoted to his father.
Nature's activity will continue even without the Sun or even if Indra, wielder of the thunderbolt, sends no rain but none will live to see Rama departing to the forest. This is my conviction.
The verse elevates filial duty (pitr̥dharma) as a defining virtue: Rāma’s steadfast devotion to his father is presented as morally non-negotiable and worthy of unwavering support.
Daśaratha is confronting Kaikeyī after her harsh demands; he declares that he cannot bear separation from Rāma, especially because Rāma is exemplary in obedience to paternal duty.
Rāma’s pitr̥bhakti—devotion and obedience to his father—is emphasized as an ideal virtue.