Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 76
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
सतीं त्वामहमत्यन्तं व्यवस्याम्यसतीं सतीम्।रूपिणीं विषसंयुक्तां पीत्वेव मदिरां नरः।।।।
satīṁ tvām aham atyantaṁ vyavasyāmy asatīṁ satīm | rūpiṇīṁ viṣasaṁyuktāṁ pītv eva madirāṁ naraḥ ||
Wie ein Mann, vom schönen Anschein betört, vergifteten Wein trinkt, als wäre er gut, so hielt auch ich dich fest für eine keusche Frau; doch in Wahrheit bist du, trotz deiner großen Schönheit, unkeusch.
Like people regarding wine mixed with poison as fine before drinking it, I had a firm belief that you were a chaste woman, but while you who look extremely beautiful you are actually not so.
FAQs
Dharma here highlights discernment and truth in relationships: outward beauty or pleasing appearance must not be mistaken for inner virtue (satya and śīla).
Daśaratha, shocked by Kaikeyī’s demands, rebukes her and laments that he misjudged her character.
The implied virtue is satya-based integrity in marital conduct; the verse condemns deceit that violates trust and righteous household life.