Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 45, Shloka 26
अयोध्यावासिजनानुरागः
The People and Brahmins Follow Rama toward Exile
न पुनर्निश्चयः कार्यस्त्वद्गतौ सुकृता मतिः।त्वयि धर्मव्यपेक्षे तु किं स्याद्धर्मपथे स्थितम्।।।।
na punar niścayaḥ kāryas tvadgatau sukṛtā matiḥ | tvayi dharmavyapekṣe tu kiṁ syād dharmapathe sthitam ||
不必再作第二次决断——我们随你而行之志已坚固不移。然若你自身在此轻弃法(dharma)，那么立于正法之道的，又还能剩下什么？
We are not going to revoke our decision. We have made up our minds to follow you (into the forest). If you have no regard for this decision, then who will adhere to the path of righteousness?
FAQs
Dharma depends on exemplary leadership: when the righteous model (Rama) upholds dharma, society stands firm; if he abandons it, the very standard of righteousness collapses.
The Brahmins insist they will accompany Rama and argue that Rama’s own commitment to dharma must include honoring their plea, since he is the moral center for others.
Moral responsibility of the ideal person: the duty to sustain dharma not only personally but as a guiding norm for the community.