Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 53, Shloka 22
पञ्चाशत्तमः सर्गः (Sarga 53)
Rāma’s Lament, Vigil for Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa’s Consolation
मन्ये प्रीतिविशिष्टा सा मत्तो लक्ष्मण शारिका।यस्यास्तच्छ्रूयते वाक्यं शुक पादमरेर्दश।।।।
manye prītiviśiṣṭā sā matto lakṣmaṇa śārikā |
yasyās tac chrūyate vākyaṁ śuka pādam areḥ daśa ||
ラクシュマナよ、わたしは思う。母上にとっては、わたしよりも飼いの九官鳥のほうが愛しいのだ。あれからこう聞こえるのだから――「おお鸚鵡よ、敵の足を噛め！」
(On hearing my banishment) her myna would say to her parrot, 'O parrot, bite the foot of the enemy (Kaikeyi)'. I think that bird is a greater source of joy to my mother than I, O Lakshmana!
FAQs
Non-retaliation contrasted with natural anger: the verse shows how grievance arises, yet Rama’s broader dharma is to endure without vindictiveness—even while acknowledging pain.
Rama expresses anguish that his mother may find more comfort even in pet birds than in him, since his exile has become the cause of her distress.
Tender sensitivity: Rama’s acute awareness of emotional loss and his mother’s loneliness.