Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 4
सत्यपाशः
Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise
संश्रुत्य शैब्यश्श्येनाय स्वां तनुं जगतीपतिः।प्रदाय पक्षिणे राज न्जगाम गतिमुत्तमाम्।।।।
saṁśrutya śaibyaḥ śyenāya svāṁ tanuṁ jagatīpatiḥ |
pradāya pakṣiṇe rājan jagāma gatim uttamām || 2.14.4 ||
ഹേ രാജാവേ, ഭൂമിയുടെ അധിപനായ ശൈബ്യൻ വാഗ്ദാനം പാലിച്ച് തന്റെ തന്നെ ശരീരം ശ്യേനപക്ഷിക്കു സമർപ്പിച്ചു; അതിനാൽ അവൻ പരമോന്നത ഗതിയെ പ്രാപിച്ചു.
Here are the pots filled with water from river Ganga and golden vessels with water from the seas. And throne made of udumbara wood for the installation ceremony. All kinds of seeds, perfumes, different kinds of precious stones, honey, curd, ghee, puffed grains, kusha grass (special grass used in rituals), flowers, milk, eight beautiful girls, an intoxicated elephant, a dignified chariot drawn by four horses, a sword, an elegant bow, a palanquin accompanied by bearers, an umbrella resembling the full Moon, two white fans made of Yak's tails, a golden vessel, a palecoloured humped bull, wearing golden gerland, a lion having four strong and large teeth, a mighty horse of the best breed, a throne, tiger skin, fire kindled with faggots, all kinds of musical instruments, courtesans, welldecorated women, preceptors, brahmins, cows, sacred animals and birds, eminent citizens and villagers, groups of merchants all speaking pleasant words and kings -- all are here for Rama's coronation.
FAQs
Satya (truthfulness) and fidelity to one’s vow: the exemplar teaches that keeping one’s promise—even at great personal cost—is a supreme form of dharma.
In counsel to the king, an illustrative story is cited: King Śaibya fulfills his pledged word by offering his own body to a hawk.
Integrity (satya-niṣṭhā)—steadfast commitment to one’s word, treated as spiritually elevating and kingly.