Shloka 2.45.2

अयोध्यावासिजनानुरागः — The People and Brahmins Follow Rama toward Exile

Devanagari script

निवर्तितेऽपि च बलात्सुहृद्वर्गे च राजनि।नैव ते संन्यवर्तन्त रामस्यानुगता रथम्।।।।

Transliteration

dvijātīṃs tu padātīṃs tān rāmaś cāritra-vatsalaḥ |

na śaśāka ghṛṇā-cakṣuḥ parimoktuṃ rathena saḥ ||

Translation

But Rama—fond of righteous conduct, with eyes of compassion—could not bring himself to ride on in the chariot and leave those brahmins walking on foot behind.

Context

The king and the hosts of friends were forcibly sent back but they did not return. They continued to follow the chariot of Rama.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• brahmins (dvijāti)
• chariot

FAQs

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

Leadership in dharma requires empathy and equality in hardship: Rama will not accept comfort if it means abandoning devoted, suffering followers.

What is the narrative situation?

Brahmins are following on foot; Rama refrains from riding ahead in the chariot so as not to leave them behind.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rama’s compassion and commitment to moral propriety (cāritra).