Shloka 2.109.1

सत्यधर्मप्रतिपादनम् (Rama’s Defense of Truth and Dharma in Reply to Jabali)

Devanagari script

जाबालेस्तु वचश्श्रुत्वा राम स्सत्यात्मनां वरः।उवाच परया भक्त्या स्वबुद्ध्या चाविपन्नया।।2.109.1।।

Transliteration

jābāles tu vacaḥ śrutvā rāmaḥ satyātmanāṃ varaḥ | uvāca parayā bhaktyā svabuddhyā cāvipannayā ||

Translation

Having heard Jābāli’s words, Rāma—foremost among the truthful—replied with deep respect, guided by his own judgment, steady and unshaken.

Context

Hearing Jabali's words, Rama, the foremost among the truthful, gave a rejoinder, exercising his own judgment and firm conviction with due respect (to Jabali).

Characters & Entities

• Jābāli
• Rāma

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

Dharma is shown as disciplined discernment: one may disagree, yet respond with respect and steadiness, guided by clear judgment rather than impulse.

What is the narrative situation?

This verse transitions from Jābāli’s persuasive counsel to Rāma’s formal, principled rebuttal.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s satya-niṣṭhā (commitment to truth) along with humility and composure in dialogue.