Shloka 2.48.30
अयोध्यायाः शोकवर्णनम् (Ayodhya’s Lament and Civic Desolation)
पूर्णचन्द्रानन श्श्यामो गूढजत्रुररिन्दमः।आजानुबाहुः पद्माक्षो रामो लक्ष्मणपूर्वजः।।2.48.29।।पूर्वाभिभाषी मधुर स्सत्यवादी महाबलः।सौम्यस्सर्वस्य लोकस्य चन्द्रवत्प्रियदर्शनः।।2.48.30।।नूनं पुरुषशार्दूलो मत्तमातङ्गविक्रमः।शोभयिष्यत्यरण्यानि विचरन् स महारथः।।2.48.31।।
pūrvābhibhāṣī madhuraḥ satyavādī mahābalaḥ |
saumyaḥ sarvasya lokasya candravat priyadarśanaḥ || 2.48.30 ||
He is the first to greet and speak, gentle and sweet by nature, truthful in speech, mighty in strength—beloved by all people, and lovely to behold like the moon.
Rama, elder brother to Lakshmana is a tiger among men, a subduer of enemies, powerful like an intoxicated elephant, and a great charioteer. Blue in complexion, he has a face like the full Moon. He has lotuslike eyes, kneelong arms and fleshy clavicles. Endowed with a sweet nature, he always speaks the truth and the first to speak to others. When he roams the forest, charming like the Moon and pleasing to the whole world, he will surely make it look graceful.
Satya (truthfulness) is presented as a central pillar of dharma: moral authority depends not only on power but on truthful, considerate speech and humane conduct.
In the aftermath of the exile, citizens recall Rāma’s interpersonal virtues—how he spoke, greeted, and related to everyone.
Truthfulness joined with gentleness: Rāma’s satya is not harsh, but socially healing and universally pleasing.