Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.62: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 62
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma
based persuasion of Kausalyā
यशो ह्यहं केवलराज्यकारणा न्न पृष्ठतः कर्तुमलं महोदयम् ।
अदीर्घकाले न तु देवि जीविते वृणेऽवरामद्य महीमधर्मतः ॥६२॥
yaśo hy ahaṁ kevalarājyakāraṇān na pṛṣṭhataḥ kartum alaṁ mahodayam |
adīrghakāle na tu devi jīvite vṛṇe 'varām adya mahīm adharmataḥ ||62||
केवलराज्यकारणात् महोदयम् यशः अहं पृष्ठतः कर्तुं नालम्। देवि, अल्पकालेऽस्मिन् जीविते, अधर्मतः अद्य अवराम् महीम् न वृणे।
I will not forsake this great glory (of fulfilling my father's promise) for the sake of the kingdom. In this transient existence O mother, I do not wish to acquire this insignificant earth unrighteously.
FAQs
Political power is not worth unrighteous acquisition; dharma and truthful honor outweigh temporary sovereignty.
Rāma reassures his mother that he will not pursue the throne through questionable means; he prefers exile with honor to rule with adharma.
Rāma’s integrity and non-attachment to power—choosing moral glory over material rule.
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