Valmiki Ramayana 2.40.40 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 40, Shloka 40
प्रयाणवर्णनम्
Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency
स बद्ध इव पाशेन किशोरो मातरं यथा।धर्मपाशेन सङ्क्षिप्तः प्रकाशं नाभ्युदैक्षत।।।।
sa baddha iva pāśena kiśoro mātaraṃ yathā | dharmapāśena saṅkṣiptaḥ prakāśaṃ nābhyudaikṣata ||
Seperti anak kuda yang terikat tali tak dapat memandang ibunya dengan jelas, demikian pula Rāma—terbelenggu oleh jerat dharma—tak mampu menatap ayah dan ibunya dengan terang.
Like a fastened foal cannot see its mother, Rama restrained by bonds of duty could not see his parents clearly.
FAQs
Dharma is portrayed as a binding force that restrains personal impulse. Rāma’s adherence to truth and duty limits even natural emotional responses, showing moral discipline.
As Rāma proceeds into exile, he is emotionally constrained; he cannot openly look at his grieving parents, being “bound” by duty.
Rāma’s self-control (saṃyama) and unwavering commitment to dharma, even when it intensifies personal sorrow.
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