Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 57
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
यस्मिंस्तु सर्वे स्युरसन्निविष्टा धर्मो यत स्स्यात्तदुपक्रमेत।द्वेष्यो भवत्यर्थपरो हि लोके कामात्मता खल्वपि न प्रशस्ता।।2.21.57।।
yasmiṃs tu sarve syur asanniviṣṭā
dharmo yataḥ syāt tad upakrameta |
dveṣyo bhavaty arthaparo hi loke
kāmātmatā khalv api na praśastā || 2.21.57 ||
Mais lorsque les trois buts ne peuvent être établis ensemble, qu’on entreprenne la voie par laquelle le dharma est assuré. Car en ce monde, celui qui ne poursuit que la richesse devient méprisable, et une vie menée par le désir n’est pas louée par les sages.
If actions which combine these three (dharma, artha and kama), cannot be performed (which is likely), resort to righteousness. (For) one who seeks wealth is abhorred and one who seeks fulfilment of desires does not attract admiration in this world.
FAQs
When values conflict, dharma has precedence; artha and kāma are ethically inferior if pursued as the ruling motive.
Rama concludes a moral argument to Lakshmana: if the three human aims cannot be harmonized, choose the path that preserves righteousness.
Moral prioritization—Rama’s commitment to dharma as the supreme guide in decision-making.