Shloka 2.11.11

कैकेयीवरप्रार्थना — Kaikeyi Demands the Two Boons

Devanagari script

सा तदर्थमना देवी तमभिप्रायमागतम्।निर्माध्यस्थ्याच्च हर्षाच्च बभाषे दुर्वचं वचः।।।।

Transliteration

sā tadarthamanā devī tam abhiprāyam āgatam | nirmādhyasthyāc ca harṣāc ca babhāṣe durvacaṃ vacaḥ || 2.11.11 ||

Translation

That queen—her mind fixed on her own objective—rejoicing and seeing no middle course, uttered words that were hard to speak.

Context

Bent upon her interests, the queen cheered and expressed in unutterable words her premeditated wish which had no alternative.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It highlights how self-interested intention can drive speech beyond dharmic restraint; dharma asks for measured, fair, and compassionate expression.

What is the narrative situation?

The narration describes Kaikeyī’s internal resolve just before she states her demand to Daśaratha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse implicitly points to the virtue of impartiality and moderation by showing Kaikeyī acting without a ‘middle course’.