Shloka 6.83.37
त्र्यशीतितमः सर्गः (Sarga 83) — Hanumān Reports Sītā’s ‘Slaying’; Rāma Collapses; Lakṣmaṇa’s Counter-Discourse on Dharma and Artha
अर्थस्यैतेपरित्यागेदोषाःप्रव्याहृतामया ।राज्यमुत्सृजतावीरयेनबुद्धिस्त्वयाकृता ।।6.83.37।।
arthasyaitaḥ parityāge doṣāḥ pravyāhṛtā mayā |
rājyam utsṛjatā vīra yena buddhis tvayā kṛtā ||6.83.37||
These are the faults I have declared that follow from abandoning wealth. O hero, when you gave up the kingdom, the reasoning by which you formed that resolve I cannot accept as sound.
'If you give up wealth the evils will follow you', said I. Now you left the kingdom. The basis on which you made such a resolve is not known to me.
It stages a dharma-debate: is renunciation of power/wealth wise or harmful? The Ramayana repeatedly tests whether duty is upheld through sacrifice or through governance.
Rāvaṇa directly challenges Rāma’s earlier decision to relinquish the kingdom, presenting it as imprudent.
Steadfastness in vow (satya/vrata): Rāma’s renunciation is rooted in truthfulness to his father’s word, even if opponents call it folly.