Valmiki Ramayana 1.21.3 — Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 3
बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon-Lore
यदीदं ते क्षमं राजन् गमिष्यामि यथाऽगतम्।मिथ्याप्रतिज्ञ: काकुत्स्थ सुखीभव सबान्धव:।।।।
yad idaṃ te kṣamaṃ rājan gamiṣyāmi yathāgatam |
mithyā-pratijñaḥ kākutstha sukhī bhava sabāndhavaḥ ||
हे राजन्, हे तुला हे योग्य वाटत असेल, तर मी जसा आलो तसाच परत जाईन। हे काकुत्स्थ! प्रतिज्ञा मिथ्या करून तू बंधु-बांधवांसह सुखी राहो॥
Such is the prowess of Viswamitra who is a highly effulgent and highly renowned sage. O King! in sending Rama, you need not entertain any doubt.
FAQs
A vow must not be emptied of truth. The verse underscores that social and royal dharma collapse when a spoken commitment is treated as optional.
Viśvāmitra, offended by Daśaratha’s wavering, declares he will leave, explicitly calling the king ‘false to his promise.’
Accountability to one’s word—especially for rulers whose promises function as public guarantees.
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