Shloka 2.11.5
कैकेयीवरप्रार्थना — Kaikeyi Demands the Two Boons
आवलिप्ते न जानासि त्वत्तः प्रियतरो मम।मनुजो मनुजव्याघ्राद्रामादन्यो न विद्यते।।।।
ātmanā vātmajaiś cānyair vṛṇeyaṁ manujarṣabham | tena rāmeṇa kaikeyi śape te vacanakriyām ||
Even if I choose Rāma, the best of men, above myself, above my sons, and above all others—O Kaikeyī—by that very Rāma I swear to fulfil your request.
O proud lady, don't you know there exists for me no woman dearer than you and no man other than Rama who is the best among men.
The verse dramatizes the absolute nature of a king’s pledged word: once sworn, it is treated as overriding personal preference—though later events question how vows should align with righteousness.
Daśaratha reinforces his oath by declaring Rāma’s supreme value to him and still pledges to execute Kaikeyī’s demand.
Rāma’s preeminence (manujarṣabha) is emphasized, functioning as the moral ‘seal’ upon the king’s promise.