Shloka 2.26.38

अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः — Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct

Devanagari script

अहं गमिष्यामि महावनं प्रियेत्वया हि वस्तव्यमिहैव भामिनि।यथा व्यलीकं कुरुषे न कस्य चित्तथा त्वया कार्यमिदं वचो मम।।।।

Transliteration

aurasān api putrān hi tyajanty ahitakāriṇaḥ |

samarthān sampragṛhṇanti janān api narādhipāḥ ||

Translation

For kings may even abandon their own sons if they become harmful, and they may accept capable persons even if they are not of the family.

Context

O my beloved Sita! I am going to the wild forest. Stay here and never cause displeasure to any one in any way. Could you carry out these words of mine?ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ṣaḍviṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the twentysixth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sītā
• Bharata

FAQs

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

Rājadharma prioritizes the welfare of the kingdom: merit and harmlessness outweigh mere blood ties when decisions affect public good.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma cautions Sītā about the realities of kingship—how rulers judge by benefit and harm, not only by family relation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Realism aligned with dharma: understanding that authority must act firmly for societal stability.