Shloka 2.12.103
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
अनर्थभावेऽर्थपरे नृशंसे ममानुतापाय निविष्टभावे।किमप्रियं पश्यसि मन्निमित्तं हितानुकारिण्यथवाऽपि रामे।।।।
anarthabhāve ’rthapare nṛśaṃse mamānutāpāya niviṣṭabhāve | kim apriyaṃ paśyasi mannimittaṃ hitānukāriṇy athavā ’pi rāme ||
O you whose nature turns to harm—greedy, cruel, intent on tormenting me—what fault, for my sake, do you see in Rama, who follows the path of beneficence and works for others’ good?
O malicious one, O covetous one, O cruel one, O woman determined to tormentme, what fault have you seen in Rama who is always devoted to the welfare of others?
Dharma demands truth-based judgment: Daśaratha insists that action against Rama must rest on a real fault, yet Rama is characterized as ‘hitānukārin’—one who works for others’ welfare.
Daśaratha challenges Kaikeyī to name any genuine wrongdoing in Rama that could justify exile.
Rama’s benevolence and public-spirited conduct (working for the welfare of others).