Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 41
अष्टादशः सर्गः
Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration
इतीव तस्यां परुषं वदन्त्यांन चैव रामः प्रविवेश शोकम्।प्रविव्यथे चापि महानुभावोराजा तु पुत्रव्यसनाभितप्तः।।।।
itīva tasyāṁ paruṣaṁ vadantyāṁ na caiva rāmaḥ praviveśa śokam | pravivyathe cāpi mahānubhāvo rājā tu putravyasanābhitaptaḥ ||
ಅವಳು ಕಠೋರವಾಗಿ ಮಾತನಾಡುತ್ತಿದ್ದರೂ ರಾಮನು ಶೋಕಕ್ಕೆ ಒಳಗಾಗಲಿಲ್ಲ; ಆದರೆ ಮಹಾನುಭಾವ ರಾಜನು, ಪುತ್ರವ್ಯಸನದಿಂದ ದಗ್ಧನಾಗಿ, ತೀವ್ರವಾಗಿ ವ್ಯಥಿತನಾದನು.
Devoted to his father's wellbeing, Rama reflected, Why does not father reciprocate my greeting (like on other days)?
FAQs
Dharma is steady self-mastery: Rāma refuses to be ruled by grief, choosing principled action; the verse contrasts inner discipline with the king’s overwhelming anguish.
After Kaikeyī’s harsh insistence, Rāma remains composed, while Daśaratha suffers intensely at the prospect of his son’s ruin/exile.
Rāma’s equanimity and commitment to dharma; Daśaratha’s deep paternal love (though expressed as debilitating sorrow).