Shloka 2.12.38

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

Devanagari script

इति दुःखाभिसन्तप्तं विलपन्तमचेतनम्।घूर्णमानं महाराजं शोकेन समभिप्लुतम्।।2.12.37।।पारं शोकार्णवस्याशु प्रार्थयन्तं पुनः पुनः। प्रत्युवाचाथ कैकेयी रौद्रा रौद्रतरं वचः।।2.12.38।।

Transliteration

yadi dattvā varau rājan punaḥ pratyanutapyase |

dhārmikatvaṃ kathaṃ vīra pṛthivyāṃ kathayiṣyasi ||

Translation

If, O King, after granting the two boons you repent again, then how, O valiant one, will you speak of your righteousness before the world?

Context

Then the fierce Kaikeyi used fiercer words in reply to the king who was tormented with grief and filled with tears, senses switched off, head reeling, overwhelmed with pain, beseeching again and again to ferry him across the ocean of sorrow as quickly as possible:

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha
• pṛthivī (the world/earth)
• varas (boons)
• dharma/dhārmikatva

FAQs

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

Satya and pledge-keeping are tied to royal dharma: a king’s righteousness is judged by fidelity to granted promises, even when painful.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī counters Daśaratha’s pleas by pressuring him to uphold the boons he once promised, invoking his public reputation for dharma.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s dhārmikatva is invoked as an obligation—his identity as a righteous king is made contingent on keeping his word.