Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 24, Shloka 9
कौशल्यारामसंवादः
Kausalya–Rama Dialogue on Exile-Dharma
कथं हि धेनु स्स्वं वत्सं गच्छन्तं नानुगच्छति।अहं त्वाऽनुगमिष्यामि यत्र पुत्र गमिष्यसि।।2.24.9
kathaṃ hi dhenuḥ svaṃ vatsaṃ gacchantaṃ nānugacchati |
ahaṃ tvām anugamiṣyāmi yatra putra gamiṣyasi || 2.24.9 ||
母牛怎会不追随自己离去的小牛呢？同样地，我的孩子，无论你去往何处，我都将随你而行。
Who will believe that the virtuous and affectionate scion of the Raghus is exiled this way by the king? Who will not tremble in fear to hear this?
FAQs
It presents familial dharma—especially a mother’s protective duty and attachment—as a natural moral impulse, even when it collides with the demands of royal duty and exile.
Kausalyā expresses her intent to accompany Rāma to the forest, arguing by a natural analogy (cow and calf).
Kausalyā’s unwavering love and readiness for self-sacrifice for her son.