Valmiki Ramayana 2.25.3: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 25, Shloka 3
कौशल्याया मङ्गलविधानम् · Kausalya’s Benedictions and Protective Rites for Rama
यं पालयसि धर्मं त्वं धृत्या च नियमेन च ।
स वै राघवशार्दूल धर्मस्त्वामभिरक्षतु ॥३॥
yaṃ pālayasi dharmaṃ tvaṃ dhṛtyā ca niyamena ca |
sa vai rāghavaśārdūla dharmas tvām abhirakṣatu ||3||
హే రాఘవశార్దూలా! నీవు ధైర్యంతోను నియమంతోను ఏ ధర్మాన్ని పాలిస్తున్నావో, ఆ ధర్మమే నిన్ను రక్షించుగాక।
The duty which you are carrying out with courage and self-discipline, O tiger among the descendants of Raghu! will alone protect you.
FAQs
Dharma is presented as both a personal commitment and a protective force: if one steadfastly upholds righteous duty with courage and restraint, that very righteousness safeguards one’s path.
Rāma is being counseled and blessed as he prepares for hardship; the verse functions as a moral assurance that his adherence to dharma will be his true protection.
Dhṛti (fortitude) and niyama (disciplined self-restraint) as the practical inner supports that enable dharma to be maintained under pressure.
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