Shloka 2.11.12

कैकेयीवरप्रार्थना — Kaikeyi Demands the Two Boons

Devanagari script

तेन वाक्येन संहृष्टा तमभिप्रायमागतम्।व्याजहार महाघोरमभ्यागतमिवान्तकम्।।।।

Transliteration

tena vākyena saṃhṛṣṭā tam abhiprāyam āgatam | vyājahāra mahāghoram abhyāgatam ivāntakam || 2.11.12 ||

Translation

Delighted by his words, she voiced the intention that had arisen in her—terribly dreadful, like death arriving all at once.

Context

Delighted by the words (of the king), Kaikeyi disclosed him her highly dreadful wish which entered her mind like a sudden visitation of death:

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Antaka (Death personified as a simile)

FAQs

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

A dharmic warning about manipulation: extracting promises and then unveiling harmful demands weaponizes satya; dharma requires truth to be used for welfare, not ruin.

What is the narrative situation?

After Daśaratha’s reassuring words, Kaikeyī finally brings out the terrifying demand she has been preparing.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse, by contrast, elevates the virtue of benevolence (hita) in speech—words should not become ‘death-like’ instruments.