Shloka 2.109.17

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

Devanagari script

नैव लोभान्न मोहाद्वा न ह्यज्ञानात्तमोऽन्वितः।सेतुं सत्यस्य भेत्स्यामि गुरो स्सत्यप्रतिश्रवः।।2.109.17।।

Transliteration

bhavān me priyakāmārthaṁ vacanaṁ yad ihok­tavān |

akāryaṁ kārya-saṅkāśam apathyaṁ pathya-sammatam ||2.109.2||

Translation

What you have spoken to please me only appears to be the right course; in truth it is not to be done—harmful, though presented as beneficial.

Context

I am always true to my promise. I will not break the bridge of truth of my father out of either greed or delusion or ignorance or illusion.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata (implied by context)

FAQs

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

Dharma is not determined by pleasing speech or appearances; an act must be judged by truth and righteousness, not by how ‘good’ it sounds.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata urges Rāma to return and take the throne; Rāma begins to critique the proposal as outwardly attractive but ethically improper given prior vows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Viveka (discernment): Rāma distinguishes between apparent benefit and true righteousness.