Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 23
अष्टादशः सर्गः
Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration
अतिसृज्य ददानीति वरं मम विशांपतिः।स निरर्थं गतजले सेतुं बन्धितुमिच्छति।।।।
atisṛjya dadānīti varaṃ mama viśāṃpatiḥ | sa nirarthaṃ gatajale setuṃ bandhitum icchati ||
‘मैं दे दूँगा’ कहकर मनुष्यों के स्वामी ने मुझे वर तो सहज ही दे दिया; अब वह व्यर्थ ही उस स्थान पर बाँध बाँधना चाहता है जहाँ से जल निकल चुका है।
The king bestowed on me boons saying, 'I shall grant you two boons'. But now he wishes in vain to build a dam when the water has run down.
FAQs
Once a vow/boon is granted, dharma treats it as binding; attempting to retract it afterward is portrayed as futile and improper.
Kaikeyī uses a striking metaphor to argue that Daśaratha cannot undo what he has already promised.
Steadfastness to one’s word (satya-niṣṭhā) is foregrounded—especially as a royal duty.