अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
धर्मार्थकामाः खलु तात लोके समीक्षिता धर्मफलोदयेषु।ते तत्र सर्वे स्युरसंशयं मे भार्येव वश्याऽभिमता सुपुत्रा।।2.21.56।।
dharmārthakāmāḥ khalu tāta loke
samīkṣitā dharmaphalodayeṣu |
te tatra sarve syur asaṃśayaṃ me
bhāryeva vaśyā 'bhimatā suputrā || 2.21.56 ||
Cher frère, en ce monde, dharma, artha et kāma sont appréciés selon les fruits qui naissent du dharma. Dans la voie que j’ai choisie, les trois s’y trouvent sans doute : tels l’obéissance fidèle d’une épouse et la douce joie d’une mère comblée de bons fils.
Dharma,artha and kama, O my dear! are adjudged in this world according to the fruits of righteous action. All these three are doubtless there (in my decision to go to the forest), like obedience in a wife and love for the mother in good sons.
Dharma is the regulating foundation of human aims: artha and kāma gain legitimacy and harmony when they arise in alignment with dharma.
Rama reasons with Lakshmana, explaining that his decision is not a loss of life’s aims but a dharmic integration of them.
Philosophical clarity and balance—Rama articulates a dharma-centered view of the puruṣārthas.