Shloka 2.53.23
पञ्चाशत्तमः सर्गः (Sarga 53) — Rāma’s Lament, Vigil for Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa’s Consolation
शोचन्त्या अल्पभाग्याया न किञ्चिदुपकुर्वता।पुत्रेण किमपुत्राया मया कार्यमरिन्दम।।।।
śocantyā alpabhāgyāyā na kiñcid upakurvatā |
putreṇa kim aputrāyā mayā kāryam arindama ||
For my mother—grieving and ill-fated—what purpose is served by a son like me, who can do nothing to help her, as though she were sonless, O subduer of foes?
My mother has less fortune and more grief like a woman without a son, O Lakshmana, subduer of enemies! For her, what is the use of a son like me who cannot render any service to her?
Dharma as seva (service): relationship is validated by concrete help and protection; Rama laments that his exile prevents him from fulfilling that duty to his mother.
Rama reflects that Kausalya’s sorrow is like that of a sonless woman because he cannot support her while banished.
Sense of duty and self-critique: Rama measures himself against the standard of service owed to parents.