Shloka 2.38.17
अयोध्याकाण्डे अष्टत्रिंशः सर्गः — Sita in Bark Garments; Public Outcry and Dasaratha’s Lament
पुत्रशोकं यथा नर्च्छेत्त्वया पूज्येन पूजिता।मां हि सञ्चिन्तयन्ती सा त्वयि जीवेत्तपस्विनी।।।।
putraśokaṃ yathā na ṛcchet tvayā pūjyena pūjitā | māṃ hi sañcintayantī sā tvayi jīvet tapasvinī ||
“May she not be overtaken by grief for her son; if she—worthy of compassion—is honoured by you, the venerable one, she will go on living, sustained as she thinks constantly of me.”
Let her not grieve on account of her son. O venerable father, if she, who deserves compassion is honoured by you, she will live.
Dharma is the duty of protection and honour within the family: reverence shown to a grieving mother becomes a moral act that preserves life and steadies the household amid crisis.
As Rāma departs for exile, he urges Daśaratha to honour and support his mother so she does not collapse under the sorrow of separation.
Rāma’s responsibility and restraint: he does not merely accept his own hardship but actively arranges emotional and moral support for those left behind.