Shloka 2.12.2

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

Devanagari script

किन्नु मे यदि वा स्वप्नश्चित्तमोहोऽपि वा मम।अनुभूतोपसर्गो वा मनसो वाप्युपद्रवः।।।।

Transliteration

kiṃ nu me yadi vā svapnaś cittamoho 'pi vā mama |

anubhūtopasargo vā manaso vāpy upadravaḥ || 2.12.2 ||

Translation

What is this for me—could it be a dream, or a delusion of the mind? Or is it an omen of approaching calamity, or some affliction troubling my heart?

Context

' Is this a dream? Or a hallucination of the mind? Or some foreboding evil I am going to experience or a malady of my mind'? (wondered Dasaratha)

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• dream (svapna)
• mental delusion (cittamoha)
• omen/calamity (upasarga)

FAQs

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

It highlights moral vigilance: a ruler senses disorder and questions reality, preparing to respond responsibly rather than blindly.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha experiences foreboding and tries to interpret his mental turmoil amid the unfolding palace crisis.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Conscientious awareness—an inward honesty that recognizes when something is gravely wrong.