Shloka 2.20.24

अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः — Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile

Devanagari script

सत्यप्रतिज्ञं पितरं राजानं पश्य राघव।अद्यैव हि त्वां धर्मात्मा यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति।।।।

Transliteration

satyapratijñaṃ pitaraṃ rājānaṃ paśya rāghava |

adyaiva hi tvāṃ dharmātmā yauvarājye 'bhiṣekṣyati ||

Translation

O Rāghava, behold your father the king, true to his pledge; the righteous one will consecrate you today itself as yuvarāja.

Context

O scion of the Raghu race! see the king, your righteous and truthful father, who will consecrate you as prince-regent today itself.

Characters & Entities

• Kauśalyā
• Rāma (Rāghava)
• Daśaratha (the king, father)
• yauvarājya
• abhiṣeka

FAQs

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

Satya is central: a king’s integrity—truthfulness to his pledged word—is presented as the foundation of righteous rule.

What is the narrative situation?

Kauśalyā joyfully anticipates Rāma’s consecration as prince-regent and points to Daśaratha’s reputation for keeping his promise.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s satyapratijñā (fidelity to vows) and the ideal that governance must be anchored in truth and dharma.