Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 40, Shloka 4
प्रयाणवर्णनम्
Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency
तं वन्दमानं रुदती माता सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्।हितकामा महाबाहुं मूध्नर्युपाघ्राय लक्ष्मणम्।।।।
taṃ vandamānaṃ rudatī mātā saumitrim abravīt | hitakāmā mahābāhuṃ mūrdhny upāghrāya lakṣmaṇam ||
સૌમિત્રિ લક્ષ્મણ વંદન કરી નમતો હતો ત્યારે તેની માતા સુમિત્રા રડતી હોવા છતાં હિતકામિની બની, મહાબાહુ લક્ષ્મણના મસ્તકને સૂંઘી (ચુંબન કરી) બોલી.
While the mighty-armed Lakshmana paid her homage, Sumitra wailed, kissed him on his forehead, wished him well and said:
FAQs
It frames dharma as guidance and support: even in grief, a mother prioritizes the righteous course for her son—service to the rightful path and protection of virtue.
Lakṣmaṇa pays homage to his mother before leaving; Sumitrā, crying, blesses him affectionately and begins to advise him.
Sumitrā’s selfless wisdom—she subordinates personal sorrow to her son’s dharmic duty and well-being.