Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 37, Shloka 32
अयोध्याकाण्डे सर्गः ३७ — चीरधारणं, सीतासंकल्पः, वसिष्ठोपदेशः
Bark-Robe Episode and Vasistha’s Admonition
तत्त्वया पुत्रगर्धिन्या पुत्रस्य कृतमप्रियम्।लोके हि स न विद्येत यो न राममनुव्रतः।।2.37.32।।
tattvayā putra-gardhinyā putrasya kṛtam apriyam | loke hi sa na vidyeta yo na rāmam anuvrataḥ || 2.37.32 ||
Demikianlah, kerana ketamakanmu yang hanya memikirkan putera, engkau telah melakukan sesuatu yang memudaratkan puteramu sendiri; kerana di dunia ini tiada seorang pun yang tidak mengikuti Rama.
O Kaikeyi, you asked that Rama only should dwell in the forest (wearing bark robes). Therefore let Sita, adorn her body daily, while she lives in the forest with Rama.
FAQs
Dharma warns against selfish desire masquerading as care: actions driven by attachment can harm the very person one intends to benefit, and public dharmic allegiance gravitates toward the truly righteous (Rāma).
Kaikeyī is admonished that her attempt to secure the throne for her son will backfire because society’s loyalty rests with Rāma.
Rāma’s universal moral authority—people naturally align with dharma embodied in him.