Shloka 4.14.14

किष्किन्धायां सुग्रीवस्य नादः — Sugriva’s War-Cry at Kishkindha

Devanagari script

अनृतं नोक्तपूर्वं मे वीर कृच्छ्रेऽपि तिष्टता।धर्मलोभपरीतेन न च वक्ष्ये कथञ्चन4.14.14।।

Transliteration

anṛtaṃ nokta-pūrvaṃ me vīra kṛcchre 'pi tiṣṭhatā | dharma-lobha-parītena na ca vakṣye kathañcana ||

Translation

O hero, I have never spoken untruth before—even in hardship; bound by reverence for dharma, I will not speak falsehood in any way.

Context

'O Sugriva, I have uttered no falsehood before for fear of deviation from righteousness although I was in distress, nor shall I utter any falsehood in any circumstances hereafter.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Sugrīva
• dharma
• anṛta (falsehood)

FAQs

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

Satya (truthfulness) as a pillar of dharma: Rāma grounds his promise in a lifelong discipline of not speaking falsehood, even under pressure.

What is the narrative situation?

To calm Sugrīva’s doubt, Rāma invokes his commitment to truth and righteousness as assurance that his pledge will be fulfilled.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Satya-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in truth) and dharma-niṣṭhā (steadfastness in righteousness).