Shloka 2.19.8

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

Devanagari script

किं पुनर्मनुजेन्द्रेण स्वयं पित्रा प्रचोदितः।तव च प्रियकामार्थं प्रतिज्ञामनुपालयन्।।2.19.8।।

Transliteration

kiṃ punar manujendreṇa svayaṃ pitrā pracoditaḥ | tava ca priya-kāmārthaṃ pratijñām anupālayan || 2.19.8 ||

Translation

How much more so, when my own father—the king—has commanded it, and when I am upholding a promise for the sake of your cherished wish?

Context

In order to keep the promise I shall do everything to fulfil your desire. Needless to say that my father has ordered this.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha
• Kauśalyā

FAQs

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

Satya as lived dharma: keeping a promise and honoring a rightful command are treated as non-negotiable moral duties.

What is the narrative situation?

Rāma continues persuading his mother that his compliance is doubly justified—by royal command and by the obligation to uphold a pledged word.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fidelity to vows (pratijñā-pālana): Rāma’s identity is anchored in promise-keeping.