Shloka 2.11.8

कैकेयीवरप्रार्थना — Kaikeyi Demands the Two Boons

Devanagari script

आत्मना वात्मजैश्चान्यैर्वृणेयं मनुजर्षभम्।तेन रामेण कैकेयि शपे ते वचनक्रियाम्।।।।

Transliteration

bharato bhajatām adya yauvarājyam akaṇṭakam || 2.11.27 || eṣa me paramaḥ kāmo dattam eva varaṁ vṛṇe | adya caiva hi paśyeyaṁ prayāntaṁ rāghavaṁ vanam || 2.11.28 ||

Translation

Let Bharata assume the prince-regency today, unopposed. This is my supreme desire; I demand the boon already promised. And today itself, let me witness Rāghava leaving for the forest.

Context

O Kaikeyi! I wish the best among men Rama well.Even at the expense of my life or the lives of the rest of my sons I swear in his name I shall fulfil your wish.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha
• Bharata
• Rāghava (Rāma)
• Forest (vana)

FAQs

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

Satya as a binding royal ethic is invoked as leverage: the morality of truth-keeping is used to compel an act that disrupts familial and political righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

This verse repeats/formally marks Kaikeyī’s demand in the transmitted text tradition, reinforcing the immediacy: Bharata’s installation and Rāma’s exile today.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The expected royal virtue is steadfastness to one’s word; the verse highlights how vows can become instruments of coercion when detached from compassion and justice.