Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 3
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse
त्वं कत्थसे महाराज सत्यवादी दृढव्रतः।मम चेमं वरं कस्माद्विधारयितुमिच्छसि।।।।
tvaṃ katthase mahārāja satyavādī dṛḍha-vrataḥ | mama cemaṃ varaṃ kasmād vidhārayitum icchasi ||
மகாராஜா! நீ உன்னைச் சத்தியவாதி, உறுதியான விரதம் கொண்டவன் என்று பெருமை பேசுகிறாய்; அப்படியிருக்க, என் இந்த வரத்தை அளிப்பதை இப்போது ஏன் தவிர்க்க விரும்புகிறாய்?
O great king! you used to boast that you always speak the truth and are steadfast in your vows. Why are you now seeking to avoid granting me this boon?
FAQs
Satya as dharma is invoked as binding: a vow publicly claimed must be honored, and moral identity is tested when fulfillment is painful.
Kaikeyī challenges Daśaratha, reminding him of his reputation for truth and insisting he grant her promised boon.
The ideal of satyavāditva (truth-speaking) and dṛḍha-vrata (steadfastness in vows), though used here as pressure.