Shloka 2.26.21
अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः — Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct
राज्ञा सत्यप्रतिज्ञेन पित्रा दशरथेन च।कैकेय्यै मम मात्रे तु पुरा दत्तौ महावरौ।।।।
rājñā satyapratijñena pitrā daśarathena ca | kaikeyyai mama mātre tu purā dattau mahāvarau ||
My father, King Daśaratha—true to his pledged word—had long ago granted my mother Kaikeyī two great boons.
My father, king Dasaratha, true to his promise, had earlier granted two great boonsto my mother Kaikeyi.
Satya as royal dharma: Daśaratha’s identity is anchored in keeping his promise, showing that truth-binding commitments govern even kings.
Rāma begins the causal explanation of his exile by recounting Daśaratha’s earlier grant of two boons to Kaikeyī.
Daśaratha’s satyaniṣṭhā (steadfastness in truth/promise), which becomes the moral engine driving the ensuing events.