Shloka 2.113.10

पादुकाप्रदानं भरतस्य निवृत्तिश्च (The Sandals Bestowed; Bharata’s Return Toward Ayodhya)

Devanagari script

पितुः प्रतिज्ञां तामेव पालयिष्यामि तत्त्वतः।चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि या प्रतिज्ञा पितुर्मम।।।।

Transliteration

pituḥ pratijñāṃ tām eva pālayiṣyāmi tattvataḥ | caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi yā pratijñā pitur mama ||

Translation

Truly, I shall uphold that very pledge of my father in full truth—the promise of fourteen years.

Context

In sooth, I shall honour the words of promise given by my father and live in the forest for fourteen years, as promised.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• fourteen years (caturdaśa varṣāṇi)
• father’s promise (pituḥ pratijñā)

FAQs

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

Truthfulness and fidelity to a rightful vow: Rāma treats his father’s promise as binding and must be upheld without evasion.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma reaffirms that he will complete the exile-term exactly as Daśaratha had pledged, refusing any shortcut or reversal.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in truth) and dharma-niṣṭhā (commitment to righteous obligation).