Shloka 2.21.2
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः — Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
न रोचते ममाप्येतदार्ये यद्राघवो वनम्।त्यक्त्वा राज्यश्रियं गच्छेत् स्त्रिया वाक्यवशं गतः।।2.21.2।।
etat tu vacanaṃ śrutvā lakṣmaṇasya mahātmanaḥ |
uvāca rāmaṃ kauśalyā rudantī śokalālasā ||2.21.19||
Hearing these words of the great-souled Lakṣmaṇa, Kauśalyā—weeping and overwhelmed by grief—spoke to Rāma.
O venerable one, I do not like that Rama should go to the forest yielding to thewords of a woman and renouncing the welfare of the kingdom.
It foregrounds compassionate speech in crisis: dharma in family tragedy often begins with listening, restraint, and responding thoughtfully rather than escalating conflict.
After Lakṣmaṇa’s intense declarations, the scene turns to Kauśalyā, who—grief-stricken—now addresses Rāma.
Kauśalyā’s maternal anguish and sincerity, and the narrative’s emphasis on emotional truth within dharmic decision-making.