Story
Shri Ram accepted exile without complaint to honour his father’s word. Mata Sita insisted on accompanying him as pativratā, and Lakshman chose seva to his elder brother. As they left, Ayodhya wept. Ram consoles the people: a ruler must put dharma above personal comfort. Thus begins their tapasya in the forests.
Why it matters
Ram has the army and the public's support to contest the order, but chooses not to — because honouring his father's word matters more than his own comfort or claim to the throne. It's the scene the Ramayana is most often cited for: dharma over self-interest, at real personal cost.
Notes from visitors
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