Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.54: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 54
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः · Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma
based persuasion of Kausalyā
स मातरं चैव विसंज्ञकल्पा मार्तं च सौमित्रिमभिप्रतप्तम् ।
धर्मे स्थितो धर्म्यमुवाच वाक्यं यथा स एवार्हति तत्र वक्तुम् ॥५४॥
sa mātaraṃ caiva visaṃjñakalpāṃ mārtaṃ ca saumitrim abhiprataptam |
dharme sthito dharmyam uvāca vākyaṃ yathā sa evārhati tatra vaktum ||54||
他安住于正法，向几近因悲痛而昏厥的母亲，以及被忧苦灼烧的娑弥多利，说出了合乎义理的言辞；在那一刻，唯有他能说出恰当之语。
Rama, centred on righteousness, again addressed his mother who had almost fainted and Lakshmana who was deeply distressed. As his words were consistent with righteousness, he alone was competent to speak that way.
FAQs
Dharma includes right speech at the right time—guiding others compassionately while remaining anchored in moral truth.
The narrator frames Rama’s response as he addresses both his fainting mother and the grieving Lakshmana.
Moral leadership—Rama’s capacity to speak rightly under pressure and distress.
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