Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.52: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 52
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma
based persuasion of Kausalyā
किं जीवितेनेह विना त्वया मे लोकेन वा किं स्वधयाऽमृतेन ।
श्रेयो मुहूर्तं तव सन्निधानं ममेह कृत्स्नादपि जीवलोकात् ॥५२॥
kiṃ jīvitena iha vinā tvayā me lokena vā kiṃ svadhayā amṛtena |
śreyo muhūrtaṃ tava sannidhānaṃ mama iha kṛtsnād api jīvalokāt ||52||
Jaki pożytek z życia tutaj dla mnie bez ciebie? Jaki pożytek z nieba, ofiar dla przodków, czy nawet nektaru? Dla mnie, nawet jedna chwila twojej obecności jest lepsza niż ten cały świat istot żyjących bez ciebie.
What is the purpose of my life in this world without you? What purpose do I have with the other world or with the oblations (offered to manes) or with nectar (availble to the gods). I would prefer one moment in your company to the whole world of living beings (without you).
FAQs
The verse dramatizes the conflict between personal attachment and dharmic duty; it shows how powerful love can challenge acceptance of a righteous course.
Kausalya pleads emotionally, declaring that neither this world nor the next has value for her without Rama.
Deep maternal devotion—though it also highlights the human difficulty of detachment when dharma demands separation.
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