Valmiki Ramayana 2.31.11 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 31, Shloka 11
लक्ष्मणस्य वनानुगमन-प्रतिज्ञा तथा आयुध-संग्रहः
Lakshmana’s Vow to Follow Rama and the Retrieval of Divine Weapons
मयाऽद्य सह सौमित्रे त्वयि गच्छति तद्वनम्।को भरिष्यति कौसल्यां सुमित्रां वा यशस्विनीम्।।।।
mayā ’dya saha saumitre tvayi gacchati tad vanam |
ko bhariṣyati kausalyāṃ sumitrāṃ vā yaśasvinīm || 2.31.11 ||
Ô Saumitra, si aujourd’hui tu pars avec moi vers cette forêt, qui prendra soin de Kausalyā et de l’illustre Sumitrā ?
O Lakshmana, if you also accompany me to the forest, who will take care of mother Kausalya and the illustrious Sumitra?
FAQs
Dharma includes responsibility toward parents/elders: even rightful renunciation (going to the forest) must not abandon the dependent and grieving—especially mothers.
Rāma weighs whether Lakṣmaṇa should accompany him into exile, raising the practical and moral issue of who will remain to support the queens.
Rāma’s conscientiousness and compassion—he considers others’ welfare, not only his own hardship.
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