Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 35
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
यथा च तव कैकेयी सुमित्रा च विशेषतः।तथैव देवी कौशल्या मम माता विशेषतः।।2.2.35।।
yathā ca tava kaikeyī sumitrā ca viśeṣataḥ |
tathaiva devī kauśalyā mama mātā viśeṣataḥ || 2.52.35 ||
And just as Kaikeyī and Sumitrā are especially dear to you, so too should Devī Kauśalyā—my mother—be treated with special regard.
Just as you treat Kaikeyi and Sumitra in a special manner, so should you treat Devi Kausalya, my mother.
FAQs
Dharma is gratitude and protection of the vulnerable: Rama ensures his mother Kauśalyā receives particular care when he is absent.
Rama instructs that Bharata’s conduct should include special consideration for Kauśalyā, who will suffer most from Rama’s exile.
Rama’s filial devotion and sensitivity—he safeguards his mother’s dignity through moral instruction to others.