Shloka 1.21.8

बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः — Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon-Lore

Devanagari script

संश्रुत्यैवं करिष्यामीत्यकुर्वाणस्य राघव।इष्टापूर्तवधो भूयात्तस्माद्रामं विसर्जय।।।।

Transliteration

saṃśrutyaivaṃ kariṣyāmīty akurvāṇasya rāghava |

iṣṭāpūrtavadho bhūyāt tasmād rāmaṃ visarjaya ||

Translation

O Rāghava, for one who, having promised ‘I will do so,’ does not fulfill it, the merit of sacrifices and charities is ruined; therefore, send Rāma (with the sage).

Context

O Dasaratha, a promise made and not kept amounts to destruction of merits earned through previous pieties. Therefore send Rama (with him).

Characters & Entities

• Vasiṣṭha
• Daśaratha (Rāghava)
• Rāma
• iṣṭa (sacrificial merit)
• pūrta (charitable merit)

FAQs

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

Satya (keeping one’s pledged word) is dharma; breaking a promise is portrayed as spiritually destructive, nullifying accumulated religious merit.

What is the narrative situation?

Vasiṣṭha presses Daśaratha to honor his commitment to Viśvāmitra by sending Rāma, warning of the moral and ritual consequences of failing one’s promise.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truthfulness and reliability (satya-niṣṭhā): a king’s word must be unwavering.