Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.59: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 59
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma
based persuasion of Kausalyā
स वै न शक्नोमि पितुः प्रतिज्ञा मिमामकर्तुं सकलां यथावत् ।
स ह्यावयोस्तात गुरुर्नियोगे देव्याश्च भर्ता स गति स्सधर्मः ॥५९॥
sa vai na śaknomi pituḥ pratijñām imām akartuṁ sakalāṁ yathāvat |
sa hy āvayos tāta guruḥ niyoge devyāś ca bhartā sa gatiḥ sa dharmaḥ ||59||
அன்புத் தாதா! தந்தையின் இப்பிரதிஞ்ஞையை முழுமையாகவும் முறையாகவும் நிறைவேற்றாமல் நான் இருக்க இயலாது. ஆணையிடுவதில் அவர் எங்களுக்கு குரு; மேலும் தேவி (தாய்)க்கு அவர் கணவர்—அவரே அவளின் அடைக்கலம், அவரே அவளின் தர்மம்.
It is impossible for me not to execute the promise completely, O my dear, he (Dasaratha) is our preceptor and, therefore, fit to command us. Even for mother Kausalya, he is her husband, her refuge and her dharma.
FAQs
Satya (truthfulness) expressed as fidelity to a vow, and dharma expressed as obedience to the father-king who is also a ‘guru’ in rightful command.
Rāma answers Lakṣmaṇa’s agitation by stating he cannot violate Daśaratha’s pledged promise and clarifying Daśaratha’s dharmic authority over the family.
Rāma’s vow-keeping integrity and his principled understanding of relational duties (son to father, subject to king, family to household head).
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