Shloka 2.58.35
अष्टपञ्चाशः सर्गः (Sarga 58) — Daśaratha Questions Sumantra; Messages from the Forest Threshold
अदृष्टपूर्वव्यसना राज्यपुत्री यशस्विनी।तेन दुःखेन रुदती नैव मां किञ्चिदब्रवीत्।।।।
sarvalokapriyaṃ tyaktvā sarvalokahite ratam |
sarvaloko ’nurajyeta kathaṃ tvā ’nena karmaṇā ||
“After abandoning Rāma—beloved by all and devoted to the welfare of all—how could the world ever be pleased with you for such a deed?”
That glorious princess Sita who had never experienced any adversity earlier, weeping with sorrow, could not even speak to me anything.
A ruler’s legitimacy depends on dharma and loka-hita (public welfare); abandoning a dharmic heir undermines moral authority.
Lakshmana rebukes the decision that sends Rama away, arguing it will alienate the people.
Rama’s universal benevolence (sarvalokahita) and Lakshmana’s courage to speak moral truth.