Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 45, Shloka 15
अयोध्यावासिजनानुरागः
The People and Brahmins Follow Rama toward Exile
कर्णवन्ति हि भूतानि विशेषेण तुरङ्गमाः।यूयं तस्मान्निवर्तध्वं याचनां प्रतिवेदिताः।।।।
karṇavanti hi bhūtāni viśeṣeṇa turaṅgamāḥ |
yūyaṃ tasmān nivartadhvaṃ yācanāṃ prativeditāḥ ||
Creatures have ears, and horses especially are keen of hearing. Therefore, having understood our entreaty, turn back.
Your master has a purity of heart. He is righteous, virtuous, brave and firm in resolve, carry him backward and not forward from the city into the forest.
FAQs
It teaches compassionate persuasion: even in distress, the speakers appeal gently—assuming responsiveness and moral sensitivity, extending ethical regard even to animals involved in the journey.
Brahmins following Rama attempt to stop or slow the onward movement toward the forest by imploring those directing the chariot and horses to turn back.
The brahmins’ earnest concern and their non-coercive, dharmic mode of appeal.