Valmiki Ramayana 2.19.16: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 19, Shloka 16
एकोनविंशः सर्गः (Sarga 19): Rāma’s Unshaken Acceptance of Exile and Kaikeyī’s Urgency
यावत्त्वं न वनं यातः पुरादस्मादभित्वरन्।पिता तावन्न ते राम स्नास्यते भोक्ष्यतेऽपि वा।।2.19.16।।
yāvat tvaṃ na vanaṃ yātaḥ purād asmād abhitvaran |
pitā tāvan na te rāma snāsyate bhokṣyate 'pi vā || 2.19.16 ||
हे राम! तू या नगरातून त्वरित वनात जाईपर्यंत तुझे पिता ना स्नान करतील, ना भोजनही करतील॥
O Rama!, as long as you do not hasten to leave this city for the forest, your father will neither bathe nor eat.
FAQs
Dharma is framed as urgency to fulfill a pledged word; however, the verse also illustrates ethically problematic pressure—using the king’s suffering to compel immediate compliance.
Kaikeyī insists Rāma must depart quickly, claiming Daśaratha will not perform normal acts (bathing/eating) until he does.
Rāma’s readiness to bear hardship for duty; Daśaratha’s grief-stricken incapacity is also highlighted.
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