Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 111, Shloka 4
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकादशोत्तरशततमः सर्गः
Sarga 111: Counsel on Gurus, Parental Debt, and Bharata’s Protest
सोऽहं ते पितुराचार्यस्तव चैव परन्तप।मम त्वं वचनं कुर्वन्नातिवर्तेस्सतां गतिम्।।।।
so 'haṃ te pitur ācāryas tava caiva parantapa | mama tvaṃ vacanaṃ kurvan nātivartes satāṃ gatim ||
सोऽहं ते पितुराचार्यः तव चैव परन्तप; मम वचनं कुर्वन् सतां गतिम् नातिवर्तिष्यसि॥
I was preceptor to your father and also to you. O destroyer of foes, by following my words, you will not transgress the path of the virtuous.
FAQs
Respect for dharmic authority: the guru’s guidance is presented as a safeguard that keeps one aligned with the conduct of the virtuous (satām gati).
Vasiṣṭha, as royal preceptor, advises Rāma during the tense succession/exile dispute, urging him to act in a way consistent with established dharma.
Humility and discipline: Rāma is urged to accept instruction and remain within the ethical boundaries honored by the righteous.