Valmiki Ramayana 2.20.2: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 2
अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः · Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile
कृत्येष्वचोदितः पित्रा सर्वस्यान्तःपुरस्य च ।
गतिर्यश्शरणं चापि स रामोऽद्य प्रवत्स्यति ॥२॥
kṛtyeṣv acoditaḥ pitrā sarvasyāntaḥpurasya ca |
gatir yaḥ śaraṇaṃ cāpi sa rāmo 'dya pravatsyati ||2||
父に促されるでもなく、定められた務めに縛られるでもなく、ラーマは後宮のすべてにとって帰依処であり守護であった。しかるに、そのラーマが今日、流罪へと旅立つ。
Rama was the refuge and protector of all the inmates lot of the inner apartment although it was not his duty nor was he forced by his father to safeguard them. That Rama is now going on exile.
FAQs
Dharma includes voluntary responsibility: true protectiveness is not merely assigned by command; it is embraced out of character and compassion.
The verse contrasts Rāma’s established role as the household’s support with the shock that he must now depart for exile.
Rāma’s protective reliability—he serves as a ‘shelter’ to others without needing external pressure or obligation.
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