Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 60, Shloka 21
षष्टितमः सर्गः — Kausalyā’s Lament and Sumantra’s Consolation
Sītā’s Fearless Forest-Life
न शोच्यास्ते न चात्मनश्शोच्यो नापि जनाधिपः।इदं हि चरितं लोके प्रतिष्ठास्यति शाश्वतम्।।।।
na śocyās te na cātmanaḥ śocyo nāpi janādhipaḥ |
idaṃ hi caritaṃ loke pratiṣṭhāsyati śāśvatam ||
No son dignos de compasión, ni tú lo eres, ni siquiera el rey; pues esta conducta quedará establecida en el mundo para siempre.
With folded hands and faltering words choked by his fastflowing tears the charioteer tried to console Kausalya:
FAQs
Dharma is framed as exemplary conduct that becomes a lasting moral reference for society. The suffering is reinterpreted through the lens of enduring righteousness and truthful fame.
Sumantra argues against despair by stating that Rama’s conduct will become an everlasting model in the world, so lamentation is not fitting.
Rama’s ideal conduct (ācāra) as a timeless standard—virtue that outlives immediate pain.