Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 54
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
स मातरं चैव विसंज्ञकल्पा मार्तं च सौमित्रिमभिप्रतप्तम्।धर्मे स्थितो धर्म्यमुवाच वाक्यं यथा स एवार्हति तत्र वक्तुम्।।2.21.54।।
sa mātaraṃ caiva visaṃjñakalpāṃ
mārtaṃ ca saumitrim abhiprataptam |
dharme sthito dharmyam uvāca vākyaṃ
yathā sa evārhati tatra vaktum || 2.21.54 ||
स धर्मनिष्ठः सन् शोकविह्वलां विसंज्ञकल्पां मातरं च, अत्यन्ततापितं सौमित्रिं च प्रति, यथोचितं धर्म्यं वचनम् अवदत्—तस्मिन् काले स एव तत्र वक्तुमर्हति स्म।
Rama, centred on righteousness, again addressed his mother who had almost fainted and Lakshmana who was deeply distressed. As his words were consistent with righteousness, he alone was competent to speak that way.
FAQs
Dharma includes right speech at the right time—guiding others compassionately while remaining anchored in moral truth.
The narrator frames Rama’s response as he addresses both his fainting mother and the grieving Lakshmana.
Moral leadership—Rama’s capacity to speak rightly under pressure and distress.