Shloka 2.109.39

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

Devanagari script

न चापि कालोऽय मुपागतश्शनैर्यथा मया नास्तिकवागुदीरिता।निवर्तनार्थं तव राम कारणात् प्रसादनार्थं च मयैतदीरितम्।।2.109.39।।

Transliteration

kasya dāsyāmy ahaṃ vṛttaṃ kena vā svargam āpnuyām |

ānayā vartamāno hi vṛttyā hīnapratijñayā || 2.109.8 ||

Translation

If I break my vow while living by this way of life, to whom could I commend righteous conduct—and by what means could I attain heaven?

Context

O Rama, since the appropriate time has slowly come, I have uttered this. In order to persuade you to return and to propitiate you I have said these words.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē navōttaraśatatamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the one hundredninth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• svarga

FAQs

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

Satya and dharma require fidelity to one’s vow; breaking it destroys moral authority and undermines spiritual aims.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma defends his commitment to exile as vow-bound dharma: if he violates it, he cannot guide others or claim higher religious merit.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Vow-steadfastness (pratijñā-pālana)—holding to a promise despite hardship.