Shloka 2.36.29
अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Daśaratha’s orders for Rama’s escort; Kaikeyi’s fear; the Asamañjasa precedent
अदुष्टस्य हि संत्यागः सत्पथे निरतस्य च।निर्दहेदपि शक्रस्य द्युतिं धर्मनिरोधनात्।।।
aduṣṭasya hi saṃtyāgaḥ satpathe niratasya ca | nirdahēd api śakrasya dyutiṃ dharmanirodhanāt ||
To cast away one who is innocent and steadfast on the righteous path would, by obstructing dharma itself, burn away even Indra’s radiance.
The act of banishment of an innocent one walking the righteous path is like destroying the brilliance of Indra by restraining his righteousness.
Dharma as the sustaining moral order: harming the innocent is not a private wrong but a violation that damages the legitimacy and ‘splendor’ of authority itself.
The speaker argues that exiling Rāma—known to be righteous—would be an act against dharma with grave reputational and moral consequences.
Rāma’s innocence and steadfastness in satpatha (the righteous way), making punishment ethically indefensible.