Shloka 2.18.35

अष्टादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration

Devanagari script

सन्निदेशे पितुस्तिष्ठ यथा तेन प्रतिश्रुतम्।त्वयाऽरण्यं प्रवेष्टव्यं नव वर्षाणि पञ्च च।।।।

Transliteration

sannideśe pituḥ tiṣṭha yathā tena pratiśrutam |

tvayā araṇyaṃ praveṣṭavyaṃ nava varṣāṇi pañca ca ||2.18.35||

Translation

Stand by your father’s command, as he promised: you must enter the forest for nine years and five more.

Context

Abide by your father's command. As promised by him go to the forest for fourteen years.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• forest (araṇya)

FAQs

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

Dharma as obedience to a legitimate paternal/royal command, grounded in satya—keeping a pledged term even when it demands hardship.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī articulates the specific condition of the boon: Rāma must go to the forest for fourteen years.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The virtue targeted is Rāma’s steadfast compliance with duty (pitṛ-ājñā-pālana), which becomes the hallmark of his righteousness.