Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 68, Shloka 8
जनकदूतागमनम्
The Arrival of Janaka’s Messengers in Ayodhya
पूर्वं प्रतिज्ञा विदिता वीर्यशुल्का ममात्मजा।राजानश्च कृतामर्षानिर्वीर्या विमुखीकृता:।।1.68.8।।
pūrvaṁ pratijñā viditā vīryaśulkā mamātmajā |
rājānaś ca kṛtāmarṣā nirvīryā vimukhīkṛtāḥ || 1.68.8 ||
王よ、かつて広く知られていたのは、我が誓いである――我が娘を、武勇の代価として婚姻の賞に捧げること。諸王は力及ばず、憤りを抱いて失意のまま退けられた。
O King! It is well-known that formerly I had vowed to give my daughter to a groom as a reward for prowess. Disappointed when proved powerless, the kings became indignant and opposed me.
FAQs
Satya and pratijñā-pālana (truthfulness and keeping one’s vow): Janaka frames Sītā’s marriage as governed by a publicly known promise, emphasizing integrity in royal commitments.
Janaka explains to Daśaratha that Sītā’s hand was promised only to one who could demonstrate exceptional prowess; earlier kings failed and withdrew angrily.
Janaka’s steadfastness and transparency: he upholds a known vow despite political pressure from disappointed kings.