Shloka 7
बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon-Lore
त्रिषु लोकेषु विख्यातो धर्मात्मा इति राघव।स्वधर्मं प्रतिपद्यस्व नाधर्मं वोढुमर्हसि।।।।
triṣu lokeṣu vikhyāto dharmātmā iti rāghava |
svadharmaṃ pratipadyasva nādharmaṃ voḍhum arhasi ||
ராகவா, நீர் மூன்று உலகங்களிலும் ‘தர்மாத்மா’ எனப் புகழ்பெற்றவர். உமது ச்வதர்மத்தில் நிலைபெறுவீராக; அதர்மத்தைச் சுமத்தல் உமக்கு உரியதல்ல॥
O Dasaratha! you are reputed in the three worlds as righteous-minded. Do your ownduty. Do not follow an unjust act which is unworthy of respect.
FAQs
A ruler must uphold svadharma—his rightful duty and moral order—and must not compromise with adharma even under pressure.
Daśaratha hesitates to send young Rāma with Viśvāmitra; Vasiṣṭha reminds him of his reputation for righteousness and urges him to act according to dharma.
Daśaratha’s expected virtue is dhārmikatā (righteous integrity): aligning action with duty and public moral responsibility.