Valmiki Ramayana 2.14.24: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 24
सत्यपाशः · Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise
धर्मबन्धेन बध्दोऽस्मि नष्टा च मम चेतना।ज्येष्ठं पुत्रं प्रियं रामं द्रष्टुमिच्छामि धार्मिकम्।।।।
dharma-bandhena baddho ’smi naṣṭā ca mama cetanā |
jyeṣṭhaṃ putraṃ priyaṃ rāmaṃ draṣṭum icchāmi dhārmikam ||
मैं धरम के बंधन में फंसा हूँ। मेरा दिमाग काम नहीं कर रहा। मैं अपने बड़े बेटा राम को देखना चाहता हूँ। वो धरम वाला है।
I am bound by bond of righteousness. My intellect is destroyed. I wish to see my beloved, virtuous firstborn, Rama.
FAQs
Dharma is portrayed as a binding force—Daśaratha feels compelled by righteousness and truthfulness, even when it breaks him emotionally.
Under Kaikeyī’s demands, Daśaratha confesses his moral bondage and asks to see Rāma.
Truth-bound integrity: Daśaratha’s sense of obligation to dharma (and his word) overrides personal desire and peace.
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