Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 46, Shloka 21
तमसातीरवासः
Night on the Bank of the Tamasa and the Stratagem to Elude the Citizens
यावदेव तु संसुप्ता स्तावदेव वयं लघु।रथमारुह्य गच्छामः पन्थानमकुतोभयम्।।2.46.21।।
yāvad eva tu saṁsuptāḥ tāvad eva vayaṁ laghu |
ratham āruhya gacchāmaḥ panthānam akuto-bhayam ||2.46.21||
यावत् ते सुसुप्ताः तावत् वयं शीघ्रं रथमारुह्य अकुतोभयं पन्थानं गच्छामः।
While they are asleep, we shall quickly mount the chariot and fearlessly proceed on the way.
FAQs
Dharma here is expressed as disciplined, non-violent resolve: Rama chooses a quiet, unobtrusive departure to minimize disturbance and avoid causing further turmoil.
Rama is preparing to leave Ayodhya for the forest; the plan is to depart swiftly while the city’s people are asleep.
Self-restraint and compassion—acting quickly and quietly so others are not drawn into suffering.