Shloka 2.40.4
प्रयाणवर्णनम् (Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency)
तं वन्दमानं रुदती माता सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्।हितकामा महाबाहुं मूध्नर्युपाघ्राय लक्ष्मणम्।।।।
taṃ vandamānaṃ rudatī mātā saumitrim abravīt | hitakāmā mahābāhuṃ mūrdhny upāghrāya lakṣmaṇam ||
As Lakṣmaṇa, Sumitrā’s son, bowed in reverence, his mother—wailing yet seeking his welfare—kissed (inhaled) his forehead and spoke to the mighty-armed one.
While the mighty-armed Lakshmana paid her homage, Sumitra wailed, kissed him on his forehead, wished him well and said:
It frames dharma as guidance and support: even in grief, a mother prioritizes the righteous course for her son—service to the rightful path and protection of virtue.
Lakṣmaṇa pays homage to his mother before leaving; Sumitrā, crying, blesses him affectionately and begins to advise him.
Sumitrā’s selfless wisdom—she subordinates personal sorrow to her son’s dharmic duty and well-being.