Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 46
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
तीर्णप्रतिज्ञश्च वनात्पुनरेष्याम्यहं पुरीम्।ययातिरिव राजर्षिःपुरा हित्वा पुनर्दिवम्।।2.21.46।।
tīrṇapratijñaś ca vanāt punar eṣyāmy ahaṃ purīm |
yayātir iva rājarṣiḥ purā hitvā punar divam ||2.21.46||
Quando eu tiver cumprido meu voto, voltarei outra vez da floresta para a cidade, como o sábio régio Yayāti de outrora, que, tendo caído do céu, tornou a alcançá-lo.
Like rajarshi Yayati of yore who lost heaven and rejained it, I shall return from theforest to the city (of Ayodhya) after the vow is fulfilled.
FAQs
Dharma is framed as a vow to be completed: hardship is temporary when endured for righteousness. The return is conditioned on faithful completion of duty.
To console Kausalyā, Rāma promises that after completing the exile-vow he will return, invoking Yayāti as an illustrative precedent.
Resolve and reassurance: Rāma combines steadfastness in duty with compassionate encouragement to his grieving mother.