Shloka 2.12.47
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
अहं हि विषमद्यैव पीत्वा बहु तवाग्रतः।पश्यतस्ते मरिष्यामि रामो यद्यभिषिच्यते।।।।
ahaṃ hi viṣam adyaiva pītvā bahu tavāgrataḥ |
paśyatas te mariṣyāmi rāmo yady abhiṣicyate || 2.12.47 ||
If Rāma is consecrated, I will indeed die today itself—drinking much poison—right before you, even as you watch.
If Rama is coronated I will die while as you are watching right in your presence today itself by drinking excessive poison.
The verse illustrates adharma as coercion: moral decisions are distorted when forced by threats; it contrasts sharply with satya as a free, principled commitment.
Kaikeyī escalates her demand by threatening suicide if Daśaratha proceeds with Rāma’s coronation.
Daśaratha’s vulnerability is highlighted: compassion and fear of sin (causing a queen’s death) become pressure points against dharmic judgment.