Shloka 2.19.22

एकोनविंशः सर्गः (Sarga 19): Rāma’s Unshaken Acceptance of Exile and Kaikeyī’s Urgency

Devanagari script

न ह्यतो धर्मचरणं किञ्चिदस्ति महत्तरम्।यथा पितरिशुश्रूषा तस्य वा वचनक्रिया।।2.19.22।।

Transliteration

na hy ato dharmacaraṇaṃ kiñcid asti mahattaram | yathā pitari śuśrūṣā tasya vā vacanakriyā ||2.19.22||

Translation

Indeed, there is no greater practice of dharma than attending upon one’s father—or carrying out his command.

Context

There is no greater observance of righteousness than doing service to one's father or carrying out his orders.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī
• dharma

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Serving one’s father and fulfilling his spoken word are framed as the highest dharma in this context.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma justifies his acceptance of exile by stating that obedience to his father is the supreme moral act.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence for elders and disciplined obedience (maryādā).