Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 40, Shloka 23
प्रयाणवर्णनम्
Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency
आयसं हृदयं नूनं राममातुरसंशयम्।यद्देवगर्भप्रतिमे वनं याति न भिद्यते।।।।
āyasaṃ hṛdayaṃ nūnaṃ rāmamātur asaṃśayam | yad devagarbha-pratime vanaṃ yāti na bhidyate ||
ஐயமின்றி ராமரின் தாயின் இதயம் இரும்பினாலானதே; தேவர்பிள்ளை போன்ற ராமன் வனத்திற்குச் செல்கிறபோதும் அது உடையாமல் தாங்குகிறது।
Alas, the heart of Kausalya whose son, Rama, resembles the offspring of the gods, does not break even though he is going to the forest! Undoubtedly it must be made of iron.
FAQs
Dharma here is endurance and self-restraint in suffering: Kauśalyā bears unbearable grief without collapsing, embodying dignified steadiness amid a righteous but painful exile.
As Rāma departs for the forest, observers marvel that his mother Kauśalyā does not break down, even though her divine-like son is being sent away.
Kauśalyā’s fortitude (dhairya) and maternal nobility—strength that holds firm even under profound loss.