Shloka 2.45.33
अयोध्यावासिजनानुरागः — The People and Brahmins Follow Rama toward Exile
ततः सुमन्त्रोऽपि रथाद्विमुच्यश्रान्तान्हयान्सम्परिवर्त्य शीघ्रम्।पीतोदकांस्तोयपरिप्लुताङ्गानचारयद्वै तमसाविदूरे।।।।
sa yācyamānaḥ kākutsthaḥ svābhiḥ prakṛtibhis tadā |
kurvāṇaḥ pitaraṃ satyaṃ vanam evānvapadyata ||
Though earnestly entreated by his own people, Rāma—the scion of the Kakutsthas—went on to the forest, intent on making his father’s word stand as truth.
Then Sumantra also unyoked the fatigued horses from the chariot and quickly allowed them to roll and relax on the ground. Having made the horses drink and dipin water, he released them for grazing not far from Tamasa river.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē pañcacatvāriṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the fortyfifth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
Satya and dharma are upheld through obedience to a rightful vow: Rāma prioritizes his father’s pledged word over personal comfort and public pleading.
As Rāma departs for exile, the citizens beg him to stay; nevertheless, he continues toward the forest to ensure Daśaratha’s promise is not falsified.
Integrity and steadfastness (dṛḍha-vrata): Rāma remains unwavering in truthfulness and duty despite emotional pressure.