Shloka 2.12.43

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

Devanagari script

शैब्यश्श्येनकपोतीये स्वमांसं पक्षिणे ददौ।अलर्कश्चक्षुषी दत्वा जगाम गतिमुत्तमाम्।।।।

Transliteration

śaibyaḥ śyenakapotīye svamāṃsaṃ pakṣiṇe dadau |

alarkaś cakṣuṣī datvā jagāma gatim uttamām || 2.12.43 ||

Translation

King Śaibya, in the tale of the hawk and the pigeon, gave his own flesh to the bird; and King Alarka, giving away his eyes, attained the highest state.

Context

(King) Saibya gave his own flesh to the hawk in the conflict between the hawk and the pigeon. (King) Alarka gave his eyes (to a blind man) and attained the highest state.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha
• Śaibya
• Alarka
• Hawk
• Pigeon

FAQs

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

Dharma is upheld through costly commitment: ideal kings accept personal loss to preserve righteousness and truth, using precedent (itihāsa) as moral authority.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī cites legendary exemplars to shame Daśaratha into fulfilling his pledge, implying that righteous kings sacrifice rather than break vows.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Tyāga (self-sacrifice) in service of dharma—placing moral duty above bodily comfort or personal advantage.