Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 1
स तु नित्यं प्रशान्तात्मा मृदुपूर्वं च भाषते। उच्यमानोऽपि परुषं नोत्तरं प्रतिपद्यते
sa tu nityaṃ praśāntātmā mṛdupūrvaṃ ca bhāṣate| ucyamāno'pi paruṣaṃ nottaraṃ pratipadyate
With an unfailing serenity of mind, Rama never paid back harshness with harshness.
— M.N. Dutt (1891)
Commentary
Rama's speech is gentle even when provoked. The phrase 'unfailing serenity of mind' (praśāntātmā) describes a quality that will be tested to its limits in this very kanda, when he is ordered into exile. The foundation of his response is being laid here.
प्रशान्तात्मामृदुपूर्व