Shloka 2.11.20

कैकेयीवरप्रार्थना — Kaikeyi Demands the Two Boons

Devanagari script

तौ तु दत्तौ वरौ देव निक्षेपौ मृगयाम्यहम्।तथैव पृथिवीपाल सकाशे सत्यसङ्गर।।।।

Transliteration

tau tu dattau varau deva nikṣepau mṛgayāmy aham | tathaiva pṛthivīpāla sakāśe satyasaṅgara ||

Translation

O King—protector of the earth, steadfast in truth—I now seek those two boons you gave, kept as a deposit with you until their time.

Context

O protector of the earth, O king, honest in keeping promises, I (now) seek those two boons which were reserved as deposits.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha
• two boons

FAQs

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

Truthfulness as a royal virtue is explicitly invoked: promises are treated like entrusted deposits, and dharma requires their honoring when claimed.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī formally demands the two boons previously granted, characterizing them as held in trust by Daśaratha.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s virtue is named directly: satyasaṅgara—unyielding commitment to truth and pledged word.