Shloka 2.12.39

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

Devanagari script

यदि दत्त्वा वरौ राजन्पुनः प्रत्यनुतप्यसे।धार्मिकत्वं कथं वीर पृथिव्यां कथयिष्यसि।।।।

Transliteration

yadi dattvā varau rājan punaḥ pratyanutapyase | dhārmikatvaṃ kathaṃ vīra pṛthivyāṃ kathayiṣyasi ||

Translation

O valiant king, if—after granting the two boons—you now repent, how will you ever speak on this earth of your own righteousness?

Context

O valiant king, if you repent like this after having given two boons, how will you talk about your righteousness on this earth?

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī
• two boons

FAQs

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

A king’s dharma is inseparable from satya (truthfulness) and fidelity to promises; repentance after granting boons undermines moral authority.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī presses Daśaratha to uphold the boons he once promised, challenging his wavering and public claim to righteousness.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The expected royal virtue is steadfastness in truth and vow-keeping (satya-vrata), even when painful.