Opening the text
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
स वै न शक्नोमि पितुः प्रतिज्ञामिमामकर्तुं सकलां यथावत्।स ह्यावयोस्तात गुरुर्नियोगेदेव्याश्च भर्ता स गति स्सधर्मः।।2.21.59।।
sa vai na śaknomi pituḥ pratijñām imām akartuṁ sakalāṁ yathāvat | sa hy āvayos tāta guruḥ niyoge devyāś ca bhartā sa gatiḥ sa dharmaḥ || 2.21.59 ||
Nie odrzucę za sobą tej wielkiej chwały jedynie dla przyczyny królestwa. W tym życiu, które nie jest długie, o Matko, nie pragnę zyskać tej ziemi w sposób sprzeczny z dharmą.
I will not forsake this great glory (of fulfilling my father's promise) for the sake of the kingdom. In this transient existence O mother, I do not wish to acquire this insignificant earth unrighteously.
Satya (truthfulness) expressed as fidelity to a vow, and dharma expressed as obedience to the father-king who is also a ‘guru’ in rightful command.
Rāma answers Lakṣmaṇa’s agitation by stating he cannot violate Daśaratha’s pledged promise and clarifying Daśaratha’s dharmic authority over the family.
Rāma’s vow-keeping integrity and his principled understanding of relational duties (son to father, subject to king, family to household head).
Answers come straight from the texts, with the shlokas they draw on. Ask in your own words.
A free sign-in with Google or Apple keeps your chat saved across web and the app.
Read Valmiki Ramayana in the Vedapath app
Scan the QR code to open this directly in the app, with word-by-word meanings, Sanskrit recitation where available, and more.