Shloka 2.21.28

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः — Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā

Devanagari script

विलपन्तीं तथा दीनां कौसल्यां जननीं ततः।उवाच रामो धर्मात्मा वचनं धर्मसंहितम्।।2.21.28।।

Transliteration

vilapantīṃ tathā dīnāṃ kausalyāṃ jananīṃ tataḥ | uvāca rāmo dharmātmā vacanaṃ dharmasaṃhitam || 2.21.28 ||

Translation

Then Rāma, steadfast in dharma, spoke words aligned with righteousness to his mother Kausalyā, who was wretched and lamenting.

Context

Thereafter, virtuous Rama addressed these words consistent with righteousness to his miserable mother Kausalya who was thus lamenting:

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Kausalyā
• Dharma

FAQs

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

Rāma’s response is framed as dharma-consistent speech: even amid grief and conflict, one should speak in alignment with righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

After Kausalyā’s lament and pleas, the narration transitions to Rāma’s dharmic reply.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s dharmātmā nature—moral steadiness and principled speech under pressure.