Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 22
द्वात्रिंशस्सर्गः
Gifts to Suyajna and the Brahmins; Trijata’s Petition and Rama’s Charity
अम्बा यथा च सा नन्देत्कौसल्या मम दक्षिणाम्।।।।तथा द्विजातीस्ता न्सर्वान् लक्ष्मणार्चय सर्वशः।
ambā yathā ca sā nandet kauśalyā mama dakṣiṇām | tathā dvijātīs tān sarvān lakṣmaṇārcaya sarvaśaḥ ||
Ô Lakṣmaṇa, honore tous ces brāhmaṇas de toutes les manières convenables, afin que ma mère Kauśalyā se réjouisse de la dakṣiṇā offerte en mon nom.
You should, O Lakshmana! treat all those brahmins in such a way that my mother shall be pleased on seeing my respectful offerings.
FAQs
Dharma here is dāna and brāhmaṇa-sat-kāra (rightful giving and honouring the worthy), performed with the intention of bringing rightful joy to one’s mother and elders.
As Rāma prepares to depart, he instructs Lakṣmaṇa to properly honour brāhmaṇas with offerings, ensuring Kauśalyā’s heart is pleased by the propriety of the act.
Rāma’s maryādā (upright conduct) and reverence for elders—he aligns charitable duty with filial responsibility.