Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 14, Shloka 5
सत्यपाशः
Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise
तथा ह्यलर्कस्तेजस्वी ब्राह्मणे वेदपारगे।याचमाने स्वके नेत्रे उद्धृत्याविमना ददौ।।।।
tathā hy alarkas tejasvī brāhmaṇe vedapārage |
yācamāne svake netre uddhṛtya avimanā dadau ||
அவ்வாறே ஒளிமிகு அரசன் அலர்க்கன்—வேதங்களில் தேர்ந்த பிராமணன் தன் கண்களை யாசித்தபோது—தன் கண்களையே பறித்து, மனம் தளராது, தானமாக அளித்தான்।
In the same way the lustrous king Alarka, on being solicited by a brahmin who was an adept in the Vedas, plucked his own eyes and gave them to him without hesitation.
FAQs
Dharma is extreme generosity and truthfulness in giving: a ruler upholds his word and the duty of dāna even at great personal cost.
Within Sumantra’s praise/awakening sequence, he cites an exemplum (Alarka) to elevate Daśaratha toward noble, selfless conduct.
Self-sacrifice and unwavering commitment to charitable duty (dāna-dharma).