Shloka 2.12.30

द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)

Devanagari script

सत्यं दानं तपस्त्यागो मित्रता शौचमार्जवम्।विद्या च गुरुशुश्रूषा ध्रुवाण्येतानि राघवे।।।।

Transliteration

satyaṃ dānaṃ tapas tyāgo mitratā śaucam ārjavam |

vidyā ca guruśuśrūṣā dhruvāṇy etāni rāghave ||

Translation

Truthfulness, generosity, austerity and renunciation, friendship, purity, and straightforwardness; learning and devoted service to one’s teacher and elders—these virtues are firmly established in Rāma, scion of the Raghus.

Context

Truth, munificence, asceticism, renunciation, purity, uprightness, learning and service to his superiors all those (virtues) are firmly planted in this descendant of the Raghus.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Raghu (Rāghava lineage)

FAQs

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

Dharma is presented as a stable constellation of virtues—especially satya (truth), śauca (purity), and ārjava (uprightness)—that define Rāma’s character and rightful conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha pleads with Kaikeyī, defending Rāma’s impeccable virtues while trying to avert the harm that her demands would cause.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s unwavering moral steadiness: his virtues are described as “dhruvāṇi” (firmly fixed), highlighting reliability in dharma.