Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 107, Shloka 3
पुरा भ्रातः पिता न स्स मातरं ते समुद्वहन्।मातामहे समाश्रौषीद्राज्यशुल्कमनुत्तमम्।।2.107.3।।
purā bhrātaḥ pitā naḥ sa mātaraṃ te samudvahan | mātāmahe samāśrauṣīd rājyaśulkam anuttamam || 2.107.3 ||
हे भ्रातः! पूर्वकाल में हमारे पिता ने तुम्हारी माता से विवाह करते समय तुम्हारे नाना को अनुपम ‘राज्य-शुल्क’—राज्य का आश्वासन—दिया था।
O valiant Bharata, go to Ayodhya accompanied by Satrughna and the twice-born (brahmins) and keep the subjects delighted like pleased (with your rule).
FAQs
Dharma is fidelity to pledged obligations: political power is presented as tied to earlier promises, making truthfulness a binding force in governance.
Rama recalls the historical basis behind Kaikeyī’s claims—Daśaratha’s assurances at the time of marriage.
Rama’s commitment to truth and historical accountability, even when it disadvantages him.