Shloka 2.53.17
पञ्चाशत्तमः सर्गः (Sarga 53) — Rāma’s Lament, Vigil for Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa’s Consolation
अहमेको गमिष्यामि सीतया सह दण्डकान्।अनाथाया हि नाथस्त्वं कौशल्याया भविष्यसि।।।।
mā sma matkāraṇād devī sumitrā duḥkham āvaset |
ayodhyām ita eva tvaṁ kālye praviśa lakṣmaṇa ||
Lakshmana, let not queen Sumitra suffer sorrow on my account; therefore, return from here itself and enter Ayodhya tomorrow morning.
I shall go with Sita into the Dandaka forest and you be the protector of the helpless, Kausalya.
Dharma as responsibility toward parents: Rama prioritizes preventing needless grief to Sumitra and urges Lakshmana to uphold filial care even amid crisis.
On the way into exile, Rama attempts to dissuade Lakshmana from accompanying him, directing him instead to return to Ayodhya for Sumitra’s welfare.
Consideration and moral accountability: Rama feels responsible for the emotional consequences his exile creates for others.