Shloka 6.83.28

त्र्यशीतितमः सर्गः (Sarga 83) — Hanumān Reports Sītā’s ‘Slaying’; Rāma Collapses; Lakṣmaṇa’s Counter-Discourse on Dharma and Artha

Devanagari script

अथचेत्सत्यवचनंधर्म: किलपरन्तप ।अनृतस्त्वय्यकरुणःकिं न बद्धस्त्वयापिता ।।6.83.28।।

Transliteration

atha cet satya-vacanaṃ dharmaḥ kila parantapa | anṛtas tvayy akaruṇaḥ kiṃ na baddhas tvayā pitā ||6.83.28||

Translation

If, indeed, truth-speaking is dharma, O scorcher of foes, then why did you not bind your father—who acted without compassion toward you and (as it seems) stood in untruth?

Context

"O scorcher of enemies! If you consider speaking the truth is dharma, why did you not bind your father (who promised to give the kingdom) and was not compassionate (spoke untruth later)."

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Daśaratha (implied by 'pitā')

FAQs

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

It debates whether ‘truth’ alone defines dharma, and tests that claim against family and royal obligations—especially when truthfulness conflicts with compassion and justice.

What is the narrative situation?

The speaker recalls the Ayodhyā episode: Rāma accepted exile due to his father’s pledge; the verse frames this as a challenge to the consistency of ‘satya as dharma’.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s restraint and filial reverence are implicitly highlighted, even while being questioned.