Shloka 3.47.17
सीतारावणसंवादः — Ravana Reveals Himself; Sita Affirms Rama’s Dharma
दद्यान्न प्रतिगृह्णीयात्सत्यं ब्रूयान्न चानृतम्।।3.47.17।।एतद्ब्राह्मण रामस्य ध्रृवं व्रतमनुत्तमम्।
tathety uktvā ca tāṃ rāmaḥ kaikeyīm akutobhayaḥ ||3.47.16|| cakāra tad vacas tasyā mama bhartā dṛḍhavrataḥ |
My husband Rāma—fearless and steadfast in his vow—said to Kaikeyī, “So be it,” and carried out her words.
O brahmin! this is his firm resolve and his great vow: 'One should give and never take; one should speak the truth and nothing but he truth.'
Unwavering obedience to righteous obligation: Rāma accepts the command without fear, showing dharma as steadfast action, not merely belief.
Upon hearing Kaikeyī’s demands, Rāma immediately agrees (“tatheti”) and proceeds to fulfill them.
Dṛḍha-vrata (firm resolve) and fearlessness in upholding duty.