Shloka 2.12.1

द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)

Devanagari script

ततश्शृत्वा महाराजः कैकेय्या दारुणं वचः।चिन्तामभिसमापेदे मुहूर्तं प्रतताप च।।।।

Transliteration

tataḥ śrutvā mahārājaḥ kaikeyyā dāruṇaṃ vacaḥ | cintām abhisamāpede muhūrtaṃ pratatāpa ca ||

Translation

Hearing Kaikeyī’s dreadful words, the great king fell into anxious grief, and for a while was seared by intense distress.

Context

After hearing the dreadful words of Kaikeyi, the maharaja (Dasaratha), engulfed in grief, was extremely distressed for a moment.

Characters & Entities

• Dasaratha
• Kaikeyi

FAQs

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

Dharma is tested in moments of shock: the king’s inner turmoil foreshadows the conflict between personal affection and the obligation to uphold pledged truth and royal righteousness.

What is the narrative situation?

Immediately after Kaikeyī speaks her harsh demand, Daśaratha is overwhelmed with grief and distress.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not a virtue but a human vulnerability: Daśaratha’s deep attachment and the painful weight of responsibility.