Valmiki Ramayana 2.18.23: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 18, Shloka 23
अष्टादशः सर्गः
Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration
अतिसृज्य ददानीति वरं मम विशांपतिः।स निरर्थं गतजले सेतुं बन्धितुमिच्छति।।।।
atisṛjya dadānīti varaṃ mama viśāṃpatiḥ | sa nirarthaṃ gatajale setuṃ bandhitum icchati ||
‘अतिसृज्य ददामि’ इति मम वरं दत्त्वा विशांपतिः। स इदानीं गतजले निरर्थं सेतुं बन्धितुमिच्छति॥
The king bestowed on me boons saying, 'I shall grant you two boons'. But now he wishes in vain to build a dam when the water has run down.
FAQs
Once a vow/boon is granted, dharma treats it as binding; attempting to retract it afterward is portrayed as futile and improper.
Kaikeyī uses a striking metaphor to argue that Daśaratha cannot undo what he has already promised.
Steadfastness to one’s word (satya-niṣṭhā) is foregrounded—especially as a royal duty.
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