Shloka 2.12.26

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

Devanagari script

शुश्रूषां गौरवं चैव प्रमाणं वचनक्रियाम्।कस्ते भूयस्तरं कुर्यादन्यत्र मनुजर्षभात्।।।।बहूनां स्त्रीसहस्राणां बहूनां चोपजीविनाम्।

Transliteration

śuśrūṣāṃ gauravaṃ caiva pramāṇaṃ vacanakriyām | kas te bhūyastaraṃ kuryād anyatra manujarṣabhāt || bahūnāṃ strīsahasrāṇāṃ bahūnāṃ copajīvinām |

Translation

Who, other than Rāma—the bull among men—would serve you more, honor you more, hold your word as authority, and carry out your commands, even amid thousands of women and many attendants?

Context

There are many thousands of women and attendants (in the inner apartment), but who will do greater service and honour you more than Rama, the best among men in the execution of your orders.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Inner apartments/household attendants (implicit)

FAQs

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

Dharma values seva (service), respect, and faithful execution of rightful instructions—qualities that sustain ethical governance and family order.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha stresses that Rāma is uniquely devoted in service and obedience, questioning the rationale of sending such a son away.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s exemplary service, respectfulness, and reliability in carrying out duties (vācana-kriyā) are emphasized.