Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.53 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 53
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
नरैरिवोल्काभिरपोह्यमानोमहागजोऽध्वानमनुप्रविष्टः।भूयः प्रजज्वाल विलापमेवं निशम्य रामः करुणं जनन्याः।।2.21.53।।
narair ivolkābhir apohyamāno
mahāgajo 'dhvānam anupraviṣṭaḥ |
bhūyaḥ prajajvāla vilāpam evaṃ
niśamya rāmaḥ karuṇaṃ jananyāḥ || 2.21.53 ||
தாயின் இத்தகைய கருணைமிகு புலம்பலைக் கேட்ட ராமன் உள்ளம் மேலும் எரிந்தது—பாதையில் முன்னேறிய பெருயானையை, எரியும் தீப்பந்தங்களை ஏந்தியோர் தள்ளி பின்னேற்றுவது போல.
At the (inconsolable) lamentations of his mother, Rama was in flames (within) like a mighty elephant prevented from entering the highway by men with fire-works.
FAQs
Dharma often requires enduring inner anguish without abandoning the righteous path; the verse depicts that tension rather than denying it.
As Kausalya laments, the narrator describes Rama’s intensified inner pain through a vivid simile.
Compassion restrained by duty—Rama feels deeply yet remains committed to the dharmic decision.
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