Shloka 2.12.46

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

Devanagari script

भवत्वधर्मो धर्मो वा सत्यं वा यदि वाऽनृतम्।यत्त्वया संश्रुतं मह्यं तस्य नास्ति व्यतिक्रमः।।।।

Transliteration

bhavatv adharmo dharmo vā satyaṃ vā yadi vā anṛtam |

yat tvayā saṃśrutaṃ mahyaṃ tasya nāsti vyatikramaḥ || 2.12.46 ||

Translation

Let it be dharma or adharma, truth or untruth—there can be no going back on what you have promised to me.

Context

Whether righteous or unrighteous, true or false, there is no deviation from what you have promised to me.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

It asserts the inviolability of a pledged word (satya-saṃśruti): once given, a promise binds action—though the verse also problematizes ethics by separating promise-keeping from moral evaluation.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī refuses any reconsideration and insists Daśaratha must fulfill the boon exactly as promised.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Promise-keeping (satya) is foregrounded—presented here as absolute, even when it conflicts with other moral goods.