Jabali is a priest of Dasharatha's court who, at Chitrakoot, argues like a sceptic that Rama owes nothing to his dead father and should take the throne. Rama rejects his view and defends truth as the root of dharma.
RoleSage
Appears inRamayana
GroupRishis and sages
KingdomAyodhya
First appearsAyodhya Kanda, Sarga 108
Sargas2 in the Valmiki Ramayana
Who was Jabali?
When Bharata's pleas fail, Jabali tries a different argument: life ends at death, rites for the dead are wasted, and Rama should simply enjoy the kingdom offered to him.
Rama answers firmly that truth upholds the world and that he will not break his word. Vasishtha explains that Jabali spoke only to test Rama and to bring him home, and Jabali withdraws his words.
In the Valmiki Ramayana
Jabali appears in 2 sargas across 1 Kandas.
First appearsAyodhya Kanda · Sarga 108: Jabali's Argument
Often seen with Jabali
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