Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 109, Shloka 31
सत्यधर्मप्रतिपादनम्
Rama’s Defense of Truth and Dharma in Reply to Jabali
सत्यं च धर्मं च पराक्रमं च भूतानुकम्पां प्रियवादितां च।द्विजातिदेवातिधिपूजनं च पन्थानमाहुस्त्रिदिवस्य सन्तः।।2.109.31।।
satyaṃ ca dharmaṃ ca parākramaṃ ca bhūtānukampāṃ priyavāditāṃ ca |
dvijāti-devātithi-pūjanaṃ ca panthānam āhus tridivasya santaḥ || 2.109.31 ||
সন্তসকলে কয়—সত্য, ধৰ্ম, পৰাক্ৰম, সকলো ভূত-প্ৰাণীৰ প্ৰতি কৰুণা, প্ৰিয়-মধুৰ বাক্য, আৰু দ্বিজ, দেৱতা তথা অতিথিৰ পূজন—এইবোৰেই স্বৰ্গলৈ যোৱা পথ।
The virtuous maintain that truthfulness, righteousness, valour, compassion towards all beings, speaking pleasing words, paying homage to gods, brahmins and guests -- all these are paths to heaven.
FAQs
Dharma is a composite of satya (truth), moral duty, courage, compassion, kind speech, and reverence/hospitality—together forming the approved path of the righteous.
Rāma outlines a positive ethical program in response to Jābāli: instead of denying moral order, he enumerates virtues upheld by the ‘santaḥ’.
Satya anchored in compassion: Rāma frames righteousness as both principled (truth/duty) and humane (kindness, hospitality).