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 ||
ਹੇ ਰਾਜਨ, ਪਹਿਲਾਂ ਸਭ ਥਾਂ ਮੇਰੀ ਇਹ ਪ੍ਰਤਿਗਿਆ ਪ੍ਰਸਿੱਧ ਸੀ ਕਿ ਮੈਂ ਆਪਣੀ ਆਤਮਜਾ ਧੀ ਨੂੰ ਪਰਾਕ੍ਰਮ ਦੇ ਸ਼ੁਲਕ ਵਜੋਂ ਵਿਆਹ ਵਿੱਚ ਦਿਆਂਗਾ। ਜਦੋਂ ਰਾਜੇ ਨਿਰਵੀਰਯ ਸਾਬਤ ਹੋਏ, ਤਾਂ ਉਹ ਰੋਸ ਨਾਲ ਭਰ ਕੇ ਨਿਰਾਸ਼ ਹੋਏ ਅਤੇ ਮੁੜ ਪਰਤ ਗਏ।
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.