Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 60
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
तस्मिन्पुनर्जीवति धर्मराजे विशेषतस्स्वे पथि वर्तमाने।देवी मया सार्धमितोऽपगच्छेत्कथं स्विदन्या विधवेव नारी।।2.21.60।।
tasmin punar jīvati dharmarāje viśeṣatas sve pathi vartamāne | devī mayā sārdham ito 'pagacchet kathaṁ svid anyā vidhaveva nārī || 2.21.60 ||
तस्मिन् धर्मराजे पुनर्जीवति, विशेषतः स्वधर्मपथे स्थिते, देवी मया सह इतः कथं गच्छेत्? अन्येव विधवा नारीव किम्?
Rama, the best among men, thus pacified his mother insisting on his desire to depart for Dandaka forest with courage. And elaborately instructed his brother about his good intentions after which he circumambulated his mother with all his heart.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē ēkaviṅśassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the twentyfirst sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
Dharma is framed as maintaining proper familial and social order: a wife should not be treated as widowed while her husband lives, and a son should not disrupt that order.
Rāma discourages Kauśalyā from accompanying him into exile, arguing it would be improper while Daśaratha is still alive and righteous.
Rāma’s sensitivity to maryādā (propriety) and his protective concern for his mother’s dignity and social standing.