Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 1
अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः
Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile
तस्मिंस्तु पुरुषव्याघ्रे निष्क्रामति कृताञ्जलौ।आर्तशब्दो महान् जज्ञे स्त्रीणामन्तःपुरे तदा।।।।
tasmiṃs tu puruṣa-vyāghre niṣkrāmati kṛtāñjalau | ārta-śabdo mahān jajñe strīṇām antaḥpure tadā || 2.20.1 ||
तस्मिन् पुरुषव्याघ्रे रामे कृताञ्जलौ निष्क्रामति, तदा अन्तःपुरे स्त्रीणां महान् आर्तशब्दो जज्ञे।
When the tiger among men (Rama) was coming out with folded palms, there arose a huge cry of distress among the ladies of the harem:
FAQs
Dharma is shown through respectful conduct (añjali) even amid tension; the palace women’s distress highlights how righteous decisions can still cause human grief.
Rāma moves through the palace precincts with reverence; the women within the inner apartments react with loud distress at the unfolding events around him.
Rāma’s maryādā (decorum and reverence), expressed by departing with folded hands, maintaining dignity in a charged moment.