Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 109, Shloka 16
सत्यधर्मप्रतिपादनम्
Rama’s Defense of Truth and Dharma in Reply to Jabali
सोऽहं पितुर्नियोगं तु किमर्थं नानुपालये।सत्यप्रतिश्रव स्सत्यं सत्येन समयीकृतः।।2.109.16।।
so 'haṃ pitur niyogaṃ tu kimarthaṃ nānupālaye | satyapratiśravaḥ satyaṃ satyena samayīkṛtaḥ ||
আমি—যে সত্যপ্রতিজ্ঞ—সত্যের দ্বারাই আবদ্ধ, সত্যেই প্রতিষ্ঠিত। তবে পিতার আদেশ আমি কেন পালন করব না?॥
I am always true to any promise. I am bound by truth. Why shouId I (now) disobey my father's command (to keep his promise)?
FAQs
Fidelity to truth requires honoring lawful vows and commands—especially the father’s pledge—making personal sacrifice secondary to satya.
Rāma concludes this segment of rebuttal by grounding his exile in a concrete obligation: obedience to his father’s commitment and command.
Pitṛbhakti and vow-keeping: unwavering commitment to a promise even at great personal cost.