Shloka 2.40.9
प्रयाणवर्णनम् (Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency)
रामं दशरथं विद्धि मां विद्धि जनकात्मजाम्।अयोध्यामटवीं विध्दि गच्छ तात यथासुखम्।।।।
rāmaṁ daśarathaṁ viddhi māṁ viddhi janakātmajām |
ayodhyām aṭavīṁ viddhi gaccha tāta yathāsukham ||
“Know Rāma as Daśaratha; know me as Sītā, Janaka’s daughter; know the forest as Ayodhyā. Go, my child, in peace.”
(To Lakshmana she said) Regard Rama as Dasaratha, Sita as me and the forest as Ayodhya. My child, go in peace.
Dharma is service with the right inner attitude: treat the elder as father, the elder’s wife as mother, and hardship as home—so duty is performed without resentment.
Sumitrā sends Lakṣmaṇa to accompany Rāma and Sītā, giving him a mental discipline for exile-life.
Sevā (devoted service) and equanimity: Lakṣmaṇa is guided to transform exile into purposeful, peaceful duty.