Valmiki Ramayana 2.12.55: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 55
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
नष्टचित्तो यथोन्मत्तो विपरीतो यथाऽतुरः।हृततेजा यथा सर्पो बभूव जगतीपतिः।।।।
naṣṭacitto yathonmatto viparīto yathāturaḥ |
hṛtatejā yathā sarpo babhūva jagatīpatiḥ ||
صار سيّدُ الأرض كمن ضاع عقلُه: كالمجنون، وكالمريض الذي يعمل ضدّ نفسه، وكالحية التي سُلبت قوّتُها وخبا بريقُها.
Reflecting on the determination of the queen and her dreadful vow, the king sighed and cried, 'O Rama' and then fell down like a tree severed.
FAQs
Even a ruler is not beyond human fragility; dharma’s burden can overwhelm when circumstances force a clash between truth-keeping and justice, showing why vows must be made and invoked responsibly.
After collapsing, Daśaratha is described as mentally and physically undone by grief and shock.
The implied virtue is inner strength (dhairya); its loss here underscores the extremity of Daśaratha’s trial.
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