Shloka 2.21.46
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः — Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
तीर्णप्रतिज्ञश्च वनात्पुनरेष्याम्यहं पुरीम्।ययातिरिव राजर्षिःपुरा हित्वा पुनर्दिवम्।।2.21.46।।
tīrṇapratijñaś ca vanāt punar eṣyāmy ahaṃ purīm |
yayātir iva rājarṣiḥ purā hitvā punar divam ||2.21.46||
When I have fulfilled my vow, I shall return again from the forest to the city—like the royal sage Yayāti of old, who, having fallen from heaven, regained it once more.
Like rajarshi Yayati of yore who lost heaven and rejained it, I shall return from theforest to the city (of Ayodhya) after the vow is fulfilled.
Dharma is framed as a vow to be completed: hardship is temporary when endured for righteousness. The return is conditioned on faithful completion of duty.
To console Kausalyā, Rāma promises that after completing the exile-vow he will return, invoking Yayāti as an illustrative precedent.
Resolve and reassurance: Rāma combines steadfastness in duty with compassionate encouragement to his grieving mother.