Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 61, Shloka 19
शुनःशेफविक्रयः
The Sale of Śunaḥśepa for the Sacrifice
प्रायेण हि नरश्रेष्ठ ज्येष्ठा: पितृषु वल्लभा:।मातृ़णां तु कनीयांसस्तस्माद्रक्षे कनीयसम् ।।।।
prāyeṇa hi naraśreṣṭha jyeṣṭhāḥ pitṛṣu vallabhāḥ |
mātṝṇāṃ tu kanīyāṃsas tasmād rakṣe kanīyasam ||
«Oh el mejor de los hombres, por lo común los hijos mayores son queridos por los padres, mientras que los menores lo son por las madres. Por eso protegeré al menor.»
O King! my father says his eldest son cannot be sold, mother says that her youngest son cannot be spared. From this I think middle son is already sold away. Therefore, take me"!
FAQs
The verse highlights perceived familial dharma as protective partiality: the mother articulates a customary emotional duty to safeguard the youngest child.
After the father refuses to sell the eldest and to give the youngest, the mother reinforces the refusal by claiming the youngest as especially under her protection.
Maternal protectiveness—care grounded in attachment and responsibility.