Shloka 2.12.32
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
न स्मराम्यप्रियं वाक्यं लोकस्य प्रियवादिनः।स कथं त्वत्कृते रामं वक्ष्यामि प्रियमप्रियम्।।।।
na smarāmy apriyaṃ vākyaṃ lokasya priyavādinaḥ |
sa kathaṃ tvatkṛte rāmaṃ vakṣyāmi priyam apriyam ||
I cannot recall a single harsh word from Rāma, who speaks pleasantly to all people; how then, for your sake, could I speak to my beloved Rāma words that are painful and unwelcome?
How can I, for your sake, speak harsh to my beloved Rama who uses pleasing words to the people of the world, and never an unpleasant word which I can recall?
Dharma includes vāṅmaya-saṃyama (ethical speech): one should not repay gentleness with cruelty, nor force unrighteous speech upon the righteous.
Daśaratha struggles with the idea of addressing Rāma with unwelcome words because Kaikeyī’s demand compels him toward painful action.
Rāma’s priyavāditā—habitual courteous, pleasing speech toward all.