Shloka 2.18.3
अष्टादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration
रामेत्युक्त्वा तु वचनं बाष्पपर्याकुलेक्षणः।शशाक नृपतिर्दीनो नेक्षितुं नाभिभाषितुम्।।।।
aho dhiṅ nārhase devi vaktuṃ mām īdṛśaṃ vacaḥ |
ahaṃ hi vacanād rājñaḥ pateyam api pāvake ||2.18.28||
bhakṣayeyaṃ viṣaṃ tīkṣṇaṃ majjeyam api cārṇave |
niyukto guruṇā pitrā nṛpeṇa ca hitena ca ||2.18.29||
Alas—shame! O Queen, it does not befit you to speak such words to me. For at the king’s command I would even leap into fire; I would drink deadly poison or drown in the ocean, if so ordered by him—my father, my preceptor, and my well-wisher.
Dasaratha uttered the word 'Rama', but thereafter could neither say any more in distress nor look at him becuase his eyes were brimming with tears.
Unwavering commitment to dharma expressed as obedience to a rightful command and fidelity to the king’s word—especially when the king is also one’s father and guru-figure.
Rāma responds to Kaikeyī’s harsh insinuations by affirming that he will obey Daśaratha’s command under any circumstance, even if it means death.
Rāma’s satya (truthfulness) and maryādā (ethical restraint): he refuses to argue dishonorably and instead reaffirms principled obedience and integrity.