Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 32, Shloka 22
कुशवंशवर्णनम्
The Line of Kuśa and the Disfigurement of Kuśanābha’s Daughters by Vāyu
पिता हि प्रभुरस्माकं दैवतं परमं हि न:।यस्य नो दास्यति पिता स नो भर्ता भविष्यति।।।।
pitā hi prabhur asmākaṃ daivataṃ paramaṃ hi naḥ | yasya no dāsyati pitā sa no bhartā bhaviṣyati ||
“Cha chúng ta thật là bậc chủ tể; đối với chúng ta, Người chính là đấng tôn thần tối thượng. Người cha ban chúng ta cho ai, người ấy sẽ là phu quân của chúng ta.”
Kusa addressed his four brilliant sons who were highly enthusiastic, pious, truthful and were wedded to duties of the warrior race:
FAQs
The verse upholds maryādā (social-ethical propriety): marital choice is framed within filial duty and the father’s guardianship, treated as a sacred trust.
When approached/pressured by Vāyu, the maidens assert their commitment to dharmic procedure: only their father may give them in marriage.
Chastity and steadfastness to family dharma—firm speech aligned with truth and propriety.