Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 26, Shloka 21
अयोध्याकाण्डे षड्विंशः सर्गः
Rama’s Departure and Sita’s Questions; Disclosure of Exile and Counsel on Courtly Conduct
राज्ञा सत्यप्रतिज्ञेन पित्रा दशरथेन च।कैकेय्यै मम मात्रे तु पुरा दत्तौ महावरौ।।।।
rājñā satyapratijñena pitrā daśarathena ca | kaikeyyai mama mātre tu purā dattau mahāvarau ||
சத்தியப் பிரதிஞ்ஞையுடைய என் தந்தை அரசன் தசரதன், முன்பு என் தாய் கைகேயிக்கு இரண்டு மகா வரங்களை அளித்திருந்தான்.
My father, king Dasaratha, true to his promise, had earlier granted two great boonsto my mother Kaikeyi.
FAQs
Satya as royal dharma: Daśaratha’s identity is anchored in keeping his promise, showing that truth-binding commitments govern even kings.
Rāma begins the causal explanation of his exile by recounting Daśaratha’s earlier grant of two boons to Kaikeyī.
Daśaratha’s satyaniṣṭhā (steadfastness in truth/promise), which becomes the moral engine driving the ensuing events.