Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 20, Shloka 27
अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः
Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile
देवि नूनं न जानीषे महद्भयमुपस्थितम्।इदं तव च दुःखाय वैदेह्या लक्ष्मणस्य च।।।।
devi nūnaṃ na jānīṣe mahad bhayam upasthitam | idaṃ tava ca duḥkhāya vaidehyā lakṣmaṇasya ca ||
देवि, नूनं त्वं न जानीषे—महद्भयमुपस्थितम्। एतत् तव दुःखाय, वैदेह्याः लक्ष्मणस्य च भविष्यति॥
O mother! surely you do not know that a great misfortune has befallen, causing distress to you, Sita and Lakshmana, too.
FAQs
Satya (truthfulness) joined with dayā (compassion): Rama speaks truth about impending suffering without deceit, preparing his mother for the reality of dharma-driven exile.
Rama begins to disclose to Kausalya that a major misfortune—his exile—has befallen the family and will affect Sita and Lakshmana too.
Truthfulness with sensitivity—Rama’s responsible, compassionate disclosure.