Shloka 2.14.8

सत्यपाशः — Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise

Devanagari script

सत्यं समनुवर्तस्व यदि धर्मे धृता मतिः।सफलस्स वरो मेऽस्तु वरदो ह्यसि सत्तम।।।।

Transliteration

satyaṃ samanuvartasva yadi dharme dhṛtā matiḥ | saphalaḥ sa varo me ’stu varado hy asi sattama ||

Translation

If your mind is truly held fast in dharma, then follow truth; let the boon granted to me be fulfilled—for you are indeed the giver of boons, O best of men.

Context

O excellent one, if your mind is firmly fixed in righteousness, then by following it fulfil the boon granted to me.You are the bestower of boons indeed

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha
• Satya (Truth)
• Dharma
• Boon (vara)

FAQs

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

Dharma is framed as fidelity to satya and to one’s pledged word: if the king claims righteousness, he must make his promise effective by fulfilling the boon.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī presses Daśaratha to honor his earlier promise of granting her boons, using dharma and truth as moral leverage.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The kingly virtue of keeping one’s word (satya and pratijñā-pālana), even under personal distress.