Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 34
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
न खल्वेतन्मयैकेन क्रियते पितृशासनम्।एतैरपि कृतं देवि ये मया तव कीर्तिताः।।2.21.34।।
na khalv etan mayaikena kriyate pitṛ-śāsanam |
etair api kṛtaṃ devi ye mayā tava kīrtitāḥ || 2.21.34 ||
En effet, Ô Devi, ce n'est pas moi seul qui exécute l'ordre d'un père ; ceux que je t'ai mentionnés l'ont fait également.
I am not O Devi! the only one obeying my father's command. All I have mentioned to you did.
FAQs
Rama appeals to precedent: dharma is also what is consistently practiced by the virtuous across generations, not merely a private moral invention.
Rama reassures his mother that his choice is not isolated or unprecedented; it aligns with remembered exemplars.
Humility and adherence to tradition—Rama does not claim exceptionalism but continuity.