Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 22
द्वात्रिंशस्सर्गः
Gifts to Suyajna and the Brahmins; Trijata’s Petition and Rama’s Charity
अम्बा यथा च सा नन्देत्कौसल्या मम दक्षिणाम्।।।।तथा द्विजातीस्ता न्सर्वान् लक्ष्मणार्चय सर्वशः।
ambā yathā ca sā nandet kauśalyā mama dakṣiṇām | tathā dvijātīs tān sarvān lakṣmaṇārcaya sarvaśaḥ ||
Hỡi Lakṣmaṇa, hãy cung kính cúng dường và tôn vinh hết thảy các vị Bà-la-môn ấy theo mọi phép tắc, để mẫu hậu Kauśalyā của ta được hoan hỷ vì những lễ thí kính trọng ta dâng qua con.
You should, O Lakshmana! treat all those brahmins in such a way that my mother shall be pleased on seeing my respectful offerings.
FAQs
Dharma here is dāna and brāhmaṇa-sat-kāra (rightful giving and honouring the worthy), performed with the intention of bringing rightful joy to one’s mother and elders.
As Rāma prepares to depart, he instructs Lakṣmaṇa to properly honour brāhmaṇas with offerings, ensuring Kauśalyā’s heart is pleased by the propriety of the act.
Rāma’s maryādā (upright conduct) and reverence for elders—he aligns charitable duty with filial responsibility.