Shloka 2.19.2

एकोनविंशः सर्गः (Sarga 19): Rāma’s Unshaken Acceptance of Exile and Kaikeyī’s Urgency

Devanagari script

एवमस्तु गमिष्यामि वनं वस्तुमहं त्वितः। जटाजिनधरो राज्ञः प्रतिज्ञामनुपालयन्।।2.19.2।।

Transliteration

evam astu gamiṣyāmi vanaṃ vastum ahaṃ tv itaḥ | jaṭājinadharo rājñaḥ pratijñām anupālayan ||2.19.2||

Translation

So be it. From here I shall go to the forest and dwell there, wearing matted locks and a deerskin, upholding the king’s promise.

Context

Be it so; I shall go from here to the forest and live there with matted hair and deer-skin to keep the promise of the king.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha (implied as 'the king')
• forest (vana)

FAQs

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

Keeping one’s pledged word (satya) and protecting the integrity of a ruler’s vow are presented as higher dharma than personal comfort.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma accepts exile to the forest to ensure that Daśaratha’s promise—exacted by Kaikeyī—is not broken.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s steadfast truthfulness and self-sacrificing obedience to dharma.