Shloka 2.21.36

अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः — Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā

Devanagari script

तदेतत्तु मया कार्यं क्रियते भुवि नान्यथा।पितुर्हि वचनं कुर्वन्न कश्चिन्नाम हीयते।।2.21.36।।

Transliteration

tad etat tu mayā kāryaṃ kriyate bhuvi nānyathā |

pitur hi vacanaṃ kurvan na kaścin nāma hīyate || 2.21.36 ||

Translation

Therefore this is my duty, and in this world I shall do it—by no other way; for no one, truly, falls from dharma by fulfilling a father’s word.

Context

I will not do as duty anything contrary to what is done by others in this world. No one who obeys the commands of his father falls off the path of righteousness.

Characters & Entities

• Rama
• Kausalya
• father (Dasaratha—implicit)
• duty (kārya)
• world (bhuvi)

FAQs

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

Rama asserts that obedience to a rightful father’s command is dharma-preserving: fulfilling it is portrayed as spiritually non-degrading and ethically stabilizing.

What is the narrative situation?

Rama concludes his justification to Kausalya by stating firmly that he will carry out the command without deviation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Firmness (niścaya) and fidelity to truth-bound duty.