Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 3
सत्यपाशः
Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise
आहु स्सत्यं हि परमं धर्मं धर्मविदो जनाः।सत्यमाश्रित्य हि मया त्वं च धर्मं प्रबोधितः।।।।
āhuḥ satyaṃ hi paramaṃ dharmaṃ dharmavido janāḥ | satyam āśritya hi mayā tvaṃ ca dharmaṃ prabodhitaḥ ||
தர்மத்தை அறிந்தோர் ‘சத்தியமே பரம தர்மம்’ எனக் கூறுவர்; சத்தியத்தை ஆதாரமாகக் கொண்டு நானும் உனக்கு உன் தர்மத்தைப் போதித்தேன்।
Those conversant with righteousness say that truth is a great virtue. By following the truth, I have enlightened you about your duty.
FAQs
Satya is presented as the supreme dharma: moral life and right governance are grounded in truth as the highest norm.
A teacherly voice frames the events by asserting truth’s primacy and recalling that duty has been taught on the basis of truth.
Commitment to truth as a guiding virtue—especially crucial for rulers and those who advise them.