Ramayana — Bala Kanda, Sarga 21, Shloka 3
बालकाण्डे एकविंशः सर्गः
Daśaratha’s Promise, Vasiṣṭha’s Counsel, and Viśvāmitra’s Weapon-Lore
यदीदं ते क्षमं राजन् गमिष्यामि यथाऽगतम्।मिथ्याप्रतिज्ञ: काकुत्स्थ सुखीभव सबान्धव:।।।।
yad idaṃ te kṣamaṃ rājan gamiṣyāmi yathāgatam |
mithyā-pratijñaḥ kākutstha sukhī bhava sabāndhavaḥ ||
若此事在你看来可行，哦大王，我便如来时一般离去。哦迦拘特斯陀的后裔，你既使誓言成空，便与亲族一同安乐吧。
Such is the prowess of Viswamitra who is a highly effulgent and highly renowned sage. O King! in sending Rama, you need not entertain any doubt.
FAQs
A vow must not be emptied of truth. The verse underscores that social and royal dharma collapse when a spoken commitment is treated as optional.
Viśvāmitra, offended by Daśaratha’s wavering, declares he will leave, explicitly calling the king ‘false to his promise.’
Accountability to one’s word—especially for rulers whose promises function as public guarantees.