Shloka 2.12.16
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
किमिदं चिन्तितं पापे त्वया परमदारुणम्।।2.12.15।।अथ जिज्ञाससे मां त्वं भरतस्य प्रियाप्रिये। अस्तु यत्तत्त्वया पूर्वं व्याहृतं राघवं प्रति।।2.12.16।।स मे ज्येष्ठस्सुत श्रीमान्धर्मज्येष्ठ इतीव मे।तत्त्वया प्रियवादिन्या सेवार्थं कथितं भवेत्।।2.12.17।।
kim idaṃ cintitaṃ pāpe tvayā paramadāruṇam | atha jijñāsase māṃ tvaṃ bharatasya priyāpriye | astu yat tattvayā pūrvaṃ vyāhṛtaṃ rāghavaṃ prati | sa me jyeṣṭhaḥ sutaḥ śrīmān dharmajyeṣṭha iti iva me | tattvayā priyavādinyā sevārthaṃ kathitaṃ bhavet ||
O sinful woman, why have you conceived this utterly dreadful plan? Or do you wish to test me as to what is pleasing or displeasing to Bharata? Be it as it may. But those words you once spoke of Rāghava—“He is my eldest son, noble, and foremost in dharma”—were they spoken merely to flatter me and win my favor?
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.
It contrasts truthful speech with manipulative speech. Dharma requires words aligned with satya (truth) and goodwill, not utterances meant merely to please while concealing harmful intent.
Daśaratha challenges Kaikeyī’s sudden reversal and recalls her earlier praise of Rāma’s righteousness, questioning whether it was sincere.
Commitment to moral consistency: Daśaratha appeals to Kaikeyī’s prior recognition of Rāma’s dharmic excellence and exposes the ethical breach of duplicity.