Shloka 2.12.15

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

Devanagari script

किमिदं चिन्तितं पापे त्वया परमदारुणम्।।।।अथ जिज्ञाससे मां त्वं भरतस्य प्रियाप्रिये।अस्तु यत्तत्त्वया पूर्वं व्याहृतं राघवं प्रति।।।।स मे ज्येष्ठस्सुत श्रीमान्धर्मज्येष्ठ इतीव मे।तत्त्वया प्रियवादिन्या सेवार्थं कथितं भवेत्।।।।

Transliteration

tad alaṃ tyajyatām eṣa niścayaḥ pāpaniścaye | api te caraṇai mūrdhnā spṛśāmy eṣa prasīda me ||

Translation

Enough—abandon this resolve, O woman set upon a sinful course. Here I bow and touch your feet with my head; be gracious to me.

Context

O sinful one why have you got this most dreadful thought? Do you want to know my likes or dislikes about Bharata? Let them be so.But speaking of Rama earlier, you used to say, 'Rama is my eldest son. He is noble and foremost in discharging his duties.' Such sweet words could not have been said only to please me.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

Dharma here is expressed as restraint and appeal to conscience: Daśaratha urges abandonment of an unrighteous resolve and chooses humility over coercion, even as king.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha physically and verbally supplicates Kaikeyī, attempting to dissuade her from the decision that will exile Rāma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Humility and self-control—Daśaratha bows rather than retaliating, seeking reconciliation.