Shloka 2.109.23

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

Devanagari script

श्रेष्ठं ह्यनार्यमेव स्याद्यद्भवानवधार्य माम्।आह युक्ति करैर्वाक्यैरिदं भद्रं कुरुष्व ह।।2.109.23।।

Transliteration

śreṣṭhaṁ hy anāryam eva syād yad bhavān avadhārya mām |

āha yukti-karair vākyair idaṁ bhadraṁ kuruṣva ha ||2.109.23||

Translation

What you have judged ‘excellent’ and urged me to do as ‘auspicious’—with cleverly reasoned words—would in truth be ignoble.

Context

The course you thought excellent and 'this auspicious act' you urged me in a cleverly-worded statement to perform is ignoble indeed.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata (implied by address)
• Ārya/Anārya (noble/ignoble conduct)

FAQs

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

Sophisticated reasoning cannot convert an unrighteous act into righteousness; dharma is measured by integrity, not rhetoric.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma critiques Bharata’s persuasive appeal to return, calling it incompatible with noble conduct because it conflicts with vow and truth.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Straightforwardness and moral clarity: rejecting ‘clever’ justifications for breaking dharma.