Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 48, Shloka 22
अयोध्यायाः शोकवर्णनम्
Ayodhya’s Lament and Civic Desolation
यया पुत्रश्च भर्ता च त्यक्तावैश्वर्यकारणात्।कं सा परिहरेदन्यं कैकेयी कुलपांसनी।।2.48.22।।
yayā putraś ca bhartā ca tyaktāv aiśvarya-kāraṇāt |
kaṁ sā parihared anyaṁ kaikeyī kula-pāṁsanī || 2.48.22 ||
যে ঐশ্বর্য ও বিভবের লোভে পুত্র ও স্বামী—উভয়কেই ত্যাগ করেছে, সেই কুলকলঙ্ক কৈকেয়ী আর কাকে-ই বা রেহাই দেবে?
Can Kaikeyi, who has brought disgrace to the race by abandoning her husband and son for the sake of wealth, spare others?
FAQs
Dharma includes loyalty to family obligations; betrayal of the closest bonds (husband and son) for power is presented as a sign of ethical unreliability toward all.
In public grief and anger after Rāma’s exile, the citizens denounce Kaikeyī’s actions as socially and morally dangerous.
By contrast, fidelity and protection within family and kingdom—values the citizens feel Kaikeyī has violated.