Shloka 2.109.13

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

Devanagari script

सत्यमेवेश्वरो लोके सत्यं पद्माश्रिता सदा।सत्यमूलानि सर्वाणि सत्यान्नास्ति परं पदम्।।2.109.13।।

Transliteration

satyam eveśvaro loke satyaṃ padmāśritā sadā | satyamūlāni sarvāṇi satyān nāsti paraṃ padam ||

Translation

In this world, truth itself is Lord; and Padmā (Lakṣmī) ever rests in truth. All things have truth as their root—beyond truth there is no higher goal.

Context

Truth is God. The goddess of wealth always takes refuge in truth. Truth is the root of everything. It is supreme and there is nothing above it.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Jābāli
• Īśvara (Lord)
• Padmā (Lakṣmī)

FAQs

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

Satya is elevated from a social virtue to a metaphysical principle: truth is the supreme ground of prosperity and the highest human aim.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma intensifies his argument by portraying truth as divine and as the basis of fortune, countering any pragmatic justification for abandoning it.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Spiritual steadfastness: valuing truth above advantage, wealth, or convenience.