Shloka 2.49.6
एकोनपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 49): Rāma’s Night Journey Beyond Kosala and the Charioteer Address
राजानं धिग्दशरथं कामस्य वशमागतम्।।2.49.4।।हा नृशंसाद्य कैकेयी पापा पापानुबन्धिनी।तीक्ष्णा सम्भिन्नमर्यादा तीक्ष्णकर्मणि वर्तते।।2.49.5।।या पुत्रमीदृशं राज्ञः प्रवासयति धार्मिकम्।वनवासे महाप्राज्ञं सानुक्रोशं जितेन्द्रियम्।।2.49.6।।
yā putram īdṛśaṃ rājñaḥ pravāsayati dhārmikam |
vanavāse mahāprājñaṃ sānukrośaṃ jitendriyam ||
“She is the one who drives into exile the king’s son—such a man: righteous, profoundly wise, compassionate, and master of his senses—sending him to dwell in the forest.”
(The villagers were speaking among themselves) Fie on the king who is overtaken by passion Alas, the heartless, sinful Kaikeyi, indulging in evil has banished into the forest this prince who is righteous and sagacious, compassionate and selfrestrained. How could this cruel Kaikeyi, by breaking all limits of decorum resort to such atrocious action?
It upholds the ideal that dharmic excellence—wisdom, compassion, and self-control—deserves protection and honor, not punishment or exile.
People lament that the very person most fit to lead—Rāma—is being sent away to the forest due to court intrigue and royal weakness.
Self-restraint (jitendriyatā) and compassion (anukrośa) are explicitly praised as defining virtues of Rāma.