Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 6
सत्यपाशः
Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise
सरितां तु पतिस्स्वल्पां मर्यादां सत्यमन्वितः।सत्यानुरोधात्समये स्वां वेलां नातिवर्तते।।।।
saritāṃ tu patiḥ svalpāṃ maryādāṃ satyam anvitaḥ | satyānurodhāt samaye svāṃ velāṃ nātivartate ||
नदियों का स्वामी समुद्र भी, यद्यपि उसकी मर्यादा अल्प प्रतीत होती है, सत्यनिष्ठ होकर समय आने पर सत्य के अनुरोध से अपनी ही तट-सीमा का उल्लंघन नहीं करता।
The ocean, lord of rivers, even when (tidal) time comes does not cross the shore in obedience to truth.
FAQs
Satya and maryādā: righteousness is expressed as self-restraint—keeping to one’s rightful limits even when conditions (time/tide) press toward excess.
A proverbial illustration is offered: the ocean serves as a model for keeping boundaries, reinforcing the Ramayana’s emphasis on truth and propriety.
The virtue is principled restraint (niyama): the moral ideal of not transgressing one’s proper limits.