Chapter 14 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 14

Valmiki Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda

Verse 14.22

धर्मबन्धेन बद्धोऽस्मि नष्टा च मम चेतना। ज्येष्ठं पुत्रं प्रियं रामं द्रष्टुमिच्छामि धार्मिकम्॥

dharmabandhena baddho'smi naṣṭā ca mama cetanā| jyeṣṭhaṃ putraṃ priyaṃ rāmaṃ draṣṭumicchāmi dhārmikam||

English Meaning

I have been bound fast by the ties of virtue, therefore have I lost my senses. I now only wish to behold my beloved eldest son, the righteous Rama.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)