Shloka 2.20.8
अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः — Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile
रामस्तु भृशमायस्तो निश्श्वसन्निव कुञ्जरः।जगाम सहितो भ्रात्रा मातुरन्तःपुरं वशी।।।।
rāmas tu bhṛśam āyasto niśśvasann iva kuñjaraḥ |
jagāma sahito bhrātrā mātur antaḥpuraṃ vaśī ||
But Rāma—deeply distressed, sighing like an elephant, yet self-mastered—went with his brother to his mother’s inner apartments.
Deeply pained yet self-possessed Rama, heaving sighs like an elephant went towards the inner apartment of his mother along with his brother.
It presents dharma as disciplined conduct under pressure: Rama’s sorrow is real, yet he remains vaśī (self-governed), embodying righteous restraint rather than emotional chaos.
Rama, distressed by events, proceeds with Lakshmana into Kausalya’s quarters in the palace.
Rama’s self-control (dama) and dignified composure—hallmarks of maryādā-puruṣottama behavior in the epic.