Shloka 2.18.28
अष्टादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration
अहो धिङ्नार्हसे देवि वक्तुं मामीदृशं वचः।अहं हि वचनाद्राज्ञः पतेयमपि पावके।।।।भक्षयेयं विषं तीक्ष्णं मज्जेयमपि चार्णवे।नियुक्तो गुरुणा पित्रा नृपेण च हितेन च।।।।
aho dhiṅ nārhase devi vaktuṃ mām īdṛśaṃ vacaḥ | ahaṃ hi vacanād rājñaḥ pateyam api pāvake ||
bhakṣayeyam viṣaṃ tīkṣṇaṃ majjeyam api cārṇave | niyukto guruṇā pitrā nṛpeṇa ca hitena ca ||
Alas—shame! O Queen, it does not befit you to speak such words to me. For at the king’s command I would leap even into fire; I would swallow deadly poison or drown myself in the ocean—when enjoined by him, my father, my revered guide and king, who seeks my welfare.
Alas, what a pity, O queen, it does not behove you to speak to me such words. I can jump into fire. Since he is my father, preceptor and wellwisher, I shall consumedeadly poison or even get drowned in the sea if he so commands.
Rāma asserts the primacy of obedience to rightful authority—especially father and king—grounded in satya and duty: a command from such a guardian is to be followed even at extreme personal cost.
After Kaikeyī pressures him to comply with Daśaratha’s unspoken intent, Rāma rebukes her tone and declares his unwavering readiness to obey the king’s command.
Dharma-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in duty) and satya-niṣṭhā (faithfulness to pledged word), expressed as radical compliance with legitimate command.