Shloka 2.12.3
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
इति सञ्चिन्त्य तद्राजा नाध्यगच्छत्तदासुखम्।प्रतिलभ्य चिरात्संज्ञां कैकेयीवाक्यताडितः।।।।व्यथितो विक्लबश्चैव व्याघ्रीं दृष्ट्वा यथा मृगः।असंवृतायामासीनो जगत्यां दीर्घमुच्छवसन्।।।।मण्डले पन्नगो रुद्धो मन्त्रैरिव महाविषः।अहो धिगिति सामर्षो वाचमुक्त्वा नराधिपः।।।।मोहमापेदिवान्भूय श्शोकोपहतचेतनः।
iti sañcintya tad rājā nādhyagacchat tadā sukham | pratilabhya cirāt saṃjñāṃ kaikeyīvākya-tāḍitaḥ ||
vyathito viklabaś caiva vyāghrīṃ dṛṣṭvā yathā mṛgaḥ | asaṃvṛtāyām āsīno jagatyāṃ dīrgham ucchvasan ||
maṇḍale pannago ruddho mantrair iva mahāviṣaḥ | aho dhig iti sāmarṣo vācam uktvā narādhipaḥ ||
moham āpedivān bhūyaḥ śokopahata-cetanaḥ |
Thus reflecting, the king found no comfort. Struck by Kaikeyī’s words, he regained consciousness only after a long while; then, distressed and unsteady like a deer at the sight of a tigress, he sat upon the bare ground, breathing long sighs. Like a highly venomous serpent held within a circle by mantras, the lord of men cried out in bitter indignation, “Alas, shame!” and again fell into stupor, his mind overwhelmed by grief.
The King absorbed in such thoughts did not get solace. He was startled and distressed like a deer beholding a tigress. He had long lost the senses struck by the (ruthless) words of Kaikeyi. He sank down upon the bare floor heaving deep sighs like a venomous serpent lying confined in a circle. 'What a pity' said the king with indignation and with his senses overwhelmed by sorrow fell into a stupor again.
The passage shows how adharma-driven demands can destabilize a ruler’s mind and the moral order of the household and kingdom.
After Kaikeyī’s demands, Daśaratha collapses emotionally—regaining consciousness briefly, then sinking again into grief and stupor.
Daśaratha’s deep attachment and moral shock are highlighted—his conscience recoils at injustice toward Rāma.