Shloka 2.21.42

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

Devanagari script

सोऽहं न शक्ष्यामि पितुर्नियोगमतिवर्तितुम्।पितुर्हिवचनाद्वीर कैकेय्याऽहं प्रचोदितः।।2.21.42।।

Transliteration

so ’haṃ na śakṣyāmi pitur niyogam ativartitum |

pitur hi vacanād vīra kaikeyyā ’haṃ pracoditaḥ ||2.21.42||

Translation

So I cannot transgress my father’s command. For it is only on account of my father’s word, O hero, that I have been urged on by Kaikeyī (toward exile).

Context

O hero! I cannot transgress the command of my father since at his instance only Kaikeyi urged me (to go to the forest).

Characters & Entities

• father (Daśaratha, implied)
• Kaikeyī
• Dharma (implicit through obedience)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is obedience to a legitimate parental command, even when the immediate cause (Kaikeyī’s urging) is painful. The father’s word is treated as morally binding.

What is the narrative situation?

Lakṣmaṇa is agitated; Rāma explains that he will not violate Daśaratha’s command, and that Kaikeyī’s role operates through the father’s pledged word.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s self-restraint and fidelity to duty: he refuses to justify disobedience even under provocation.