Shloka 2.12.50

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

Devanagari script

एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं कैकेयी विरराम ह।विलपन्तं च राजानं न प्रतिव्याजहार सा।।।।

Transliteration

etāvad uktvā vacanaṃ kaikeyī virarāma ha |

vilapantaṃ ca rājānaṃ na prativyājahāra sā ||

Translation

Having said only this much, Kaikeyī fell silent; and though the king lamented, she did not reply to him.

Context

Kaikeyi, having spoken to this extent remained silent. She heeded not the lament ofthe king.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha

FAQs

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

Dharma includes compassion and right speech; Kaikeyī’s refusal to respond to a suffering person illustrates a lapse in empathetic duty within relationships.

What is the narrative situation?

After swearing that only Rama’s exile will satisfy her, Kaikeyī stops speaking and ignores Daśaratha’s grief.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse emphasizes (by contrast) karuṇā (compassion) as a virtue—shown here through its absence in Kaikeyī’s conduct.