Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 44, Shloka 1
सुमित्रोपदेशः
Sumitra’s Consolation to Kausalya
विलपन्ती तथा तां तु कौसल्यां प्रमदोत्तमाम्।इदं धर्मे स्थिता धर्म्यं सुमित्रा वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।।।
vilapantī tathā tāṃ tu kausalyāṃ pramadottamām | idaṃ dharme sthitā dharmyaṃ sumitrā vākyam abravīt ||
இவ்வாறு புலம்பிய பெண்களில் சிறந்த கௌசல்யையை நோக்கி, தர்மத்தில் நிலைத்த சுமித்ரை இந்தத் தர்மமிகு சொற்களை உரைத்தாள்.
While Kausalya, the best of women was thus lamenting, virtuous Sumitra spoke to her these righteous words:
FAQs
Dharma is presented as a stabilizing force in crisis: the dharmic person offers guidance that aligns emotion with righteous action.
After Kausalyā’s lament, Sumitrā begins to console and instruct her, framing her advice as dharma-consistent.
Sumitrā’s steadiness and discernment—she can counsel rightly even when others are overwhelmed.