Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 16
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
अनुरक्तोऽस्मि भावेन भ्रातरं देवि तत्त्वतः। सत्येन धनुषा चैव दत्तेनेष्टेन ते शपे।।2.21.16।।
anurakto 'smi bhāvena bhrātaraṃ devi tattvataḥ |
satyena dhanuṣā caiva datteneiṣṭena te śape ||2.21.16||
O ina, sa katotohanan, buong puso akong tapat at mapagmahal sa aking kapatid. Isinusumpa ko sa iyo sa aking katotohanan, sa aking pana, at sa bisa ng aking mga handog at mga sakripisyong inialay.
O mother! rest assured should Rama enter a blazing fire or a forest I must have already entered it.
FAQs
Satya (truthfulness) and steadfast loyalty are treated as sacred commitments; vows grounded in truth and earned merit are presented as morally binding.
Lakṣmaṇa reassures Kauśalyā of his unwavering allegiance to Rāma during the crisis of exile.
Unshakable devotion to one’s elder brother and integrity expressed through solemn oath-taking.