Shloka 2.26.33
अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः — Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct
भ्रातृपुत्रसमौ चापि द्रष्टव्यौ च विशेषतः।त्वया भरतशत्रुघ्नौ प्राणैः प्रियतरौ मम।।।।
mātā ca mama kauśalyā vṛddhā santāpa-karśitā |
dharmam evāgrataḥ kṛtvā tvattaḥ sammānam arhati ||
My mother Kauśalyā is aged and worn down by grief; therefore, keeping dharma foremost, you ought to show her the honor and respect she deserves.
What is more important is that you should look on Bharata as your brother and Satrughna as your son. They are dearer to me than my life.
Dharma requires honoring elders—especially one’s mother—and giving compassionate respect to those afflicted by suffering.
As Rāma prepares to leave for the forest, he instructs Sītā on how to behave in the palace, beginning with reverence to Kauśalyā.
Filial piety and compassion: Rāma foregrounds his mother’s vulnerable state and makes her care a moral priority.