Shloka 2.13.3

अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse

Devanagari script

त्वं कत्थसे महाराज सत्यवादी दृढव्रतः।मम चेमं वरं कस्माद्विधारयितुमिच्छसि।।।।

Transliteration

tvaṃ katthase mahārāja satyavādī dṛḍha-vrataḥ | mama cemaṃ varaṃ kasmād vidhārayitum icchasi ||

Translation

You boast, O great king, that you speak truth and are steadfast in your vow; why then do you now wish to evade granting me this boon?

Context

O great king! you used to boast that you always speak the truth and are steadfast in your vows. Why are you now seeking to avoid granting me this boon?

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha
• vara (boon)
• satya (truth)
• vrata (vow)

FAQs

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

Satya as dharma is invoked as binding: a vow publicly claimed must be honored, and moral identity is tested when fulfillment is painful.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī challenges Daśaratha, reminding him of his reputation for truth and insisting he grant her promised boon.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The ideal of satyavāditva (truth-speaking) and dṛḍha-vrata (steadfastness in vows), though used here as pressure.