Valmiki Ramayana 2.22.29 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 22, Shloka 29
अभिषेक-निवृत्ति-उपदेशः
Withdrawal of the Coronation: Rama’s Counsel to Lakshmana
मा च लक्ष्मण सन्तापं कार्षीर्लक्ष्म्या विपर्यये।राज्यं वा वनवासो वा वनवासो महोदयः।।।।
mā ca lakṣmaṇa santāpaṃ kārṣīr lakṣmyā viparyaye | rājyaṃ vā vanavāso vā vanavāso mahodayaḥ ||
हे लक्ष्मण, लक्ष्मीच्या उलटफेरीने तू संताप करू नकोस। राज्य असो वा वनवास—वनवासच महोदय, अधिक गौरवाचा आहे।
I do not remember to have done anything any time with a motive or without understanding which might have caused even a little displeasure to father or mothers.
FAQs
Dharma is valuing righteousness over status: exile embraced for duty can be more glorious than power gained without moral clarity.
Rāma consoles Lakṣmaṇa after the kingdom is lost, reframing forest exile as an honorable path.
Vairāgya (detachment) and moral courage—Rāma treats loss as an opportunity for higher discipline.
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