Shloka 2.45.17

अयोध्यावासिजनानुरागः — The People and Brahmins Follow Rama toward Exile

Devanagari script

एवमार्तप्रलापांस्तान् वृद्धान् प्रलपतो द्विजान्।अवेक्ष्य सहसा रामो रथादवततार ह।।।।

Transliteration

dharmataḥ sa viśuddhātmā vīraḥ śubhadṛḍhavrataḥ |

upavāhyas tu vo bhartā nāpavāhyaḥ purād vanam ||

Translation

He is righteous in dharma, pure in heart, heroic, and steadfast in his auspicious vow. Your lord should be borne back, not carried onward from the city into the forest.

Context

Having seen the aged brahmins muttering pitiful lamentations in this manner, Rama immediately alighted from the chariot.

Characters & Entities

• Rama (as 'bhartā')
• city (Ayodhya, implied)
• forest (vana)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

The verse frames Rama as dharmic and therefore worthy of protection and rightful kingship; it implies that sending such a person to hardship is a moral disorder.

What is the narrative situation?

Brahmins plead with those managing Rama’s movement to reverse course and return him from the road to exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s purity, bravery, and steadfastness in vow—qualities that make him the moral center of the community.