Valmiki Ramayana 2.21.59 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 59
अयोध्याकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Lakṣmaṇa’s militant counsel and Rāma’s dharma-based persuasion of Kausalyā
स वै न शक्नोमि पितुः प्रतिज्ञामिमामकर्तुं सकलां यथावत्।स ह्यावयोस्तात गुरुर्नियोगेदेव्याश्च भर्ता स गति स्सधर्मः।।2.21.59।।
sa vai na śaknomi pituḥ pratijñām imām akartuṁ sakalāṁ yathāvat | sa hy āvayos tāta guruḥ niyoge devyāś ca bhartā sa gatiḥ sa dharmaḥ || 2.21.59 ||
اے عزیز! میں اپنے پتا کی اس پوری پرتِجیا کو، جیسا وعدہ کیا گیا ہے، پورا کیے بغیر نہیں رہ سکتا۔ کیونکہ حکم دینے میں وہ ہمارے لیے گرو ہیں، اور دیوی (ملکہ، میری ماں) کے لیے وہی اس کے پتی، اس کی پناہ اور اس کا دھرم ہیں۔
I will not forsake this great glory (of fulfilling my father's promise) for the sake of the kingdom. In this transient existence O mother, I do not wish to acquire this insignificant earth unrighteously.
FAQs
Satya (truthfulness) expressed as fidelity to a vow, and dharma expressed as obedience to the father-king who is also a ‘guru’ in rightful command.
Rāma answers Lakṣmaṇa’s agitation by stating he cannot violate Daśaratha’s pledged promise and clarifying Daśaratha’s dharmic authority over the family.
Rāma’s vow-keeping integrity and his principled understanding of relational duties (son to father, subject to king, family to household head).
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