Shloka 2.13.9
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse
शूरश्च कृतविद्यश्च जितक्रोधो क्षमापरः।कथं कमलपत्राक्षो मया रामो विवास्यते।।।।
śūraś ca kṛtavidyaś ca jitakrodho kṣamāparaḥ | kathaṃ kamalapatrākṣo mayā rāmo vivāsyate ||
How could I send Rāma into exile—Rāma who is brave and learned, who has conquered anger, devoted to forgiveness, whose eyes are like lotus petals?
How can I exile Rama, whose eyes resemble lotus petals, who is learned, who has subdued his anger and who is always full of forgiveness?
Recognition of virtue as a basis for rightful protection: a ruler/father should uphold and honor the dharmic qualities of the worthy, not punish them without cause.
Daśaratha argues that exiling Rāma is morally unbearable because Rāma embodies ideal qualities of self-mastery, learning, and compassion.
Rāma’s virtues—courage, learning, angerlessness (jitakrodha), and forgiveness (kṣamā).