Shloka 8
यस्तु राजा स्थितोऽधर्मे मित्राणामुपकारिणाम्।मिथ्या प्रतिज्ञां कुरुते को नृशंसतरस्ततः।।।।
yas tu rājā sthito 'dharme mitrāṇām upakāriṇām |
mithyā pratijñāṃ kurute ko nṛśaṃsataras tataḥ ||
Quel roi serait plus cruel que celui qui demeure dans l’adharma et fait de fausses promesses à des amis qui l’ont secouru ?
'Which king can be more malicious than the one who makes false promises and adopts an unrighteous path towards those who helped him?
FAQs
Breaking one’s pledged word—especially to benefactors—is adharma and a form of cruelty, because it violates trust and justice.
Lakṣmaṇa accuses Sugrīva of failing to honor his alliance with Rāma after receiving help against Vāli.
Integrity (satya in action): the moral demand that a ruler’s promises must match his conduct.