Ramayana — 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 ||
縄に縛られた幼い仔馬が母をはっきり見られぬように、ダルマの縄に引き留められたラーマも、両親をあからさまに見つめることができなかった。
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.