Valmiki Ramayana 2.12.44 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 44
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
सागरस्समयं कृत्वा न वेलामतिवर्तते।समयं माऽनृतं कार्षीः पूर्ववृत्तमनुस्मरन्।।।।
sāgaraḥ samayaṃ kṛtvā na velām ativartate |
samayaṃ mā anṛtaṃ kārṣīḥ pūrvavṛttam anusmaran || 2.12.44 ||
సముద్రం ఒప్పందం చేసుకున్నాక తీరం దాటదు; పూర్వ రాజుల వృత్తాంతాన్ని స్మరించి, హే నృపా, నీ ప్రతిజ్ఞను అసత్యం చేయకు.
Having made the vow (to the gods), the ocean does not advance beyond the shore. Recollect the history of the earlier kings and do not make the vow false.
FAQs
Satya is aligned with cosmic order: even nature (the ocean’s boundary) models restraint and fidelity; a king must be at least as steady in keeping a pledge.
Kaikeyī uses an analogy and royal precedent to insist Daśaratha must not violate his promised boons.
Steadfastness (dhṛti) in honoring commitments—especially commitments publicly and solemnly made.
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