Shloka 2.109.14

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

Devanagari script

दत्तमिष्टं हुतं चैव तप्तानि च तपांसि च।वेदा स्सत्यप्रतिष्ठाना स्तस्मात्सत्यपरो भवेत्।।2.109.14।।

Transliteration

dattam iṣṭaṃ hutaṃ caiva taptāni ca tapāṃsi ca | vedāḥ satyapratiṣṭhānās tasmāt satyaparo bhavet ||

Translation

Gifts, sacrifices, oblations, austerities, and ascetic practices—and even the Vedas—stand founded upon truth. Therefore, one should be devoted to truth.

Context

Charity, sacrifice, libations, mortifications, asceticism and the Vedas have truth astheir foundation. Therefore, every one should be an adherent of truth.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Jābāli
• Vedas

FAQs

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

Truth is presented as the enabling foundation of all religious merit; without satya, ritual, charity, and scripture lose their grounding.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma appeals to the authority of dharmic practices and the Vedas to show that truth is not optional but structurally central.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Reverence for dharma grounded in sincerity: adherence to truth as the support of all sacred action.