Valmiki Ramayana 2.45.25: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 45, Shloka 25
अयोध्यावासिजनानुरागः
The People and Brahmins Follow Rama toward Exile
हृदयेष्वेव तिष्ठन्ति वेदा ये नः परं धनम्।वत्स्यन्त्यपि गृहेष्वेव दाराश्चारित्ररक्षिताः।।।।
hṛdayeṣv eva tiṣṭhanti vedā ye naḥ paraṁ dhanam | vatsyanty api gṛheṣv eva dārāś cāritrarakṣitāḥ ||
வேதங்கள்—எங்கள் பரமச் செல்வம்—எங்கள் இதயங்களிலேயே நிலைத்திருக்கும்; ஒழுக்கத்தால் காக்கப்படும் எங்கள் மனைவியரும் இல்லங்களிலேயே தங்குவார்கள்.
The Vedas are our greatest wealth and they reside in our hearts. Our wives, protected by their fidelity, shall stay at home.
FAQs
True wealth is inner, not external: dharma is preserved through internalized sacred knowledge and through fidelity and ethical conduct within the household.
The Brahmins reassure Rama that even if they accompany him, their sacred capital (Vedas) is secure in memory and their households will remain protected by virtue.
Integrity and continence (cāritra): moral self-guarding that sustains social and spiritual order even in crisis.
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