Shloka 2.33.10
त्रयस्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Civic Lament and Rama’s Dutiful Approach to Daśaratha
अद्य नूनं दशरथस्सत्त्वमाविश्य भाषते।न हि राजा प्रियं पुत्रं विवासयितुमर्हति।।।।
adya nūnaṃ daśarathaḥ sattvam āviśya bhāṣate | na hi rājā priyaṃ putraṃ vivāsayitum arhati ||
Surely today Daśaratha speaks as though seized by some dark force; for a king ought not to banish his own beloved son.
Surely king Dasaratha possessed of an evil spirit spoke the way he did today. Otherwise, should a king banish his beloved son?
It appeals to rāja-dharma: a ruler must protect and uphold justice, not act in a way that destroys the rightful order—especially against a virtuous heir.
The people react with disbelief and anguish at Daśaratha’s decision to send Rāma into exile.
The citizens’ moral clarity and loyalty to righteousness: they recognize Rāma’s worth and judge the banishment as ethically unfit.