Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 40, Shloka 4
प्रयाणवर्णनम्
Departure from Ayodhya; Civic Lament and the Chariot’s Urgency
तं वन्दमानं रुदती माता सौमित्रिमब्रवीत्।हितकामा महाबाहुं मूध्नर्युपाघ्राय लक्ष्मणम्।।।।
taṃ vandamānaṃ rudatī mātā saumitrim abravīt | hitakāmā mahābāhuṃ mūrdhny upāghrāya lakṣmaṇam ||
வணங்கி நிற்கும் சௌமித்ரி லக்ஷ்மணனைப் பார்த்து, அவன் தாய் சுமித்ரை அழுதபடியே அவன் நலத்தை நாடி, லக்ஷ்மணனின் நெற்றியை முத்தமிட்டு (சிரோ்ராணம் செய்து) அந்த மகாபாகுவிடம் உரைத்தாள்.
While the mighty-armed Lakshmana paid her homage, Sumitra wailed, kissed him on his forehead, wished him well and said:
FAQs
It frames dharma as guidance and support: even in grief, a mother prioritizes the righteous course for her son—service to the rightful path and protection of virtue.
Lakṣmaṇa pays homage to his mother before leaving; Sumitrā, crying, blesses him affectionately and begins to advise him.
Sumitrā’s selfless wisdom—she subordinates personal sorrow to her son’s dharmic duty and well-being.