Valmiki Ramayana 2.22.16 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 22, Shloka 16
अभिषेक-निवृत्ति-उपदेशः
Withdrawal of the Coronation: Rama’s Counsel to Lakshmana
कैकेय्याः प्रतिपत्तिर्हि कथं स्यान्मम पीडने।यदि भावो न दैवोऽयं कृतान्तविहितो भवेत्।।।।
kaikeyyāḥ pratipattir hi kathaṃ syān mama pīḍane | yadi bhāvo na daivo ’yaṃ kṛtānta-vihito bhavet ||
Denn wie hätte Kaikeyī den Entschluss fassen können, mich zu verletzen, wenn diese Gesinnung und dieses Unglück nicht vom Schicksal verordnet wären?
If this thought and my misfortune were not caused in Kaikeyi by destiny, how could she muster such determination to inflict pain on me?
FAQs
Rāma practices charitable interpretation and restraint: rather than demonizing Kaikeyī, he situates the cruelty within the larger framework of destiny, reducing hatred and preventing adharma.
Rāma explains Lakṣmaṇa’s shock by suggesting Kaikeyī’s harsh resolve is not her natural disposition but a fate-driven reversal.
Kṣamā (forgiveness/forbearance) and freedom from vindictiveness.
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