Valmiki Ramayana 2.12.46: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 46
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
भवत्वधर्मो धर्मो वा सत्यं वा यदि वाऽनृतम्।यत्त्वया संश्रुतं मह्यं तस्य नास्ति व्यतिक्रमः।।।।
bhavatv adharmo dharmo vā satyaṃ vā yadi vā anṛtam |
yat tvayā saṃśrutaṃ mahyaṃ tasya nāsti vyatikramaḥ || 2.12.46 ||
Que ce soit le dharma ou l'adharma, la vérité ou le mensonge, il ne peut y avoir de retour sur ce que tu m'as promis.
Whether righteous or unrighteous, true or false, there is no deviation from what you have promised to me.
FAQs
It asserts the inviolability of a pledged word (satya-saṃśruti): once given, a promise binds action—though the verse also problematizes ethics by separating promise-keeping from moral evaluation.
Kaikeyī refuses any reconsideration and insists Daśaratha must fulfill the boon exactly as promised.
Promise-keeping (satya) is foregrounded—presented here as absolute, even when it conflicts with other moral goods.
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