Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 3
ज्येष्ठायामसि मे पत्न्यां सदृश्यां सदृशस्सुतः।।2.3.39।। उत्पन्नस्त्वं गुणश्रेष्ठो मम रामात्मजः प्रियः।
jyeṣṭhāyāmasi me patnyāṃ sadṛśyāṃ sadṛśassutaḥ utpannastvaṃ guṇaśreṣṭho mama rāmātmajaḥ priyaḥ|
A worthy son of my worthy eldest wife, O Rama, your great virtues have endeared you to me.
— M.N. Dutt (1891)
Commentary
Dasharatha addresses Rama as the son of his worthy eldest wife Kausalya. He acknowledges Rama's virtues and declares his love. The personal tone of the address — spoken before the entire assembly — makes the public ceremony into an intimate father-son moment.
कौसल्याप्रीति