Shloka 2.36.26
अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Daśaratha’s orders for Rama’s escort; Kaikeyi’s fear; the Asamañjasa precedent
इत्येनमत्यजद्राजा सगरो वै सुधार्मिकः।रामः किमकरोत्पापं येनैवमुपरुध्यते।।।।
ity enam atyajad rājā sagaro vai sudhārmikaḥ | rāmaḥ kim akarot pāpaṃ yenaivam uparudhyate ||2.36.26||
“Thus did King Sagara—indeed most righteous—cast him off. What evil, then, has Rāma done that he should be restrained and driven out in this manner?”
Highly righteous king Sagara thus banished his son. What sin has Rama committed to secure a similar banishment?
Punishment must be proportionate and deserved. Siddhārtha argues from dharma and satya: exile is justified for proven harm, but Rāma is guiltless—therefore the act is ethically incoherent.
After citing Sagara’s righteous banishment of a cruel son, Siddhārtha challenges the present decision by asking what wrongdoing Rāma has committed to merit similar treatment.
Rāma’s moral innocence and blamelessness, serving as the basis for questioning an unjust application of royal power.