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 ||
ହେ ରାଜନ୍, ପୂର୍ବରୁ ସର୍ବତ୍ର ଜଣା ଥିଲା ମୋର ପ୍ରତିଜ୍ଞା—ପରାକ୍ରମକୁ ଶୁଲ୍କ କରି ମୋ ଆତ୍ମଜା କନ୍ୟାକୁ ବିବାହରେ ଦେବି। ରାଜାମାନେ ନିର୍ବୀର୍ୟ ହୋଇ ପ୍ରମାଣିତ ହେଲେ, ଅମର୍ଷିତ ହୋଇ ନିରାଶାରେ ଫେରିଗଲେ।
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.