Shloka 4.55.12

अङ्गदस्य प्रायोपवेशननिश्चयः (Angada’s Resolve to Fast unto Death)

Devanagari script

अहं वः प्रतिजानामि नागमिष्याम्यहं पुरीम्।इहैव प्रायमासिष्ये श्रेयो मरणमेव मे।।।।

Transliteration

ahaṃ vaḥ pratijānāmi nāgamiṣyāmy ahaṃ purīm |

ihaiva prāyam āsiṣye śreyo maraṇam eva me ||

Translation

I pledge to you: I will not return to the city. Here itself I will undertake the fast unto death; for me, death alone is the preferable path.

Context

'I swear I will not return to the city. I will fast unto death here only. Death for me is desirable.

Characters & Entities

• Angada
• City (Kiṣkindhā implied)

FAQs

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

Satya as personal vow is foregrounded—Angada binds himself by a pledge, showing how truthfulness can become a rigid moral commitment, even when emotionally driven.

What is the narrative situation?

Angada publicly declares he will not return to Kiṣkindhā and will die by fasting where he is.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Truth-bound firmness (satya-niṣṭhā), though expressed through tragic determination.