Valmiki Ramayana 2.39.11: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 39, Shloka 11
एकोनचत्वारिंशः सर्गः · Dasaratha’s Lament, Sumantra’s Commission, and Sita’s Vow of Marital Dharma
एवं मन्ये गुणवतां गुणानां फलमुच्यते ।
पित्रा मात्रा च यत्साधुर्वीरो निर्वास्यते वनम् ॥११॥
evaṃ manye guṇavatāṃ guṇānāṃ phalam ucyate |
pitrā mātrā ca yat sādhur vīro nirvāsyate vanam ||11||
एवं मन्ये गुणवतां गुणानां फलमुच्यते—यत्साधुर्वीरो निर्वास्यते वनं पित्रा मात्रा च॥
That the pious and heroic son is banished by his parents to the forest is, I think, the reward to the virtuous for his virtues.
FAQs
The verse highlights the paradox of dharma in the world: virtue does not always yield immediate comfort; righteousness may be tested through suffering, yet remains the standard of truth and conduct.
As arrangements for exile proceed, Sumantra reflects bitterly on the irony that a righteous hero like Rāma is being sent to the forest by his own parents.
Rāma’s goodness and heroism are affirmed, while Sumantra’s moral sensitivity and grief at injustice are emphasized.
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