Shloka 2.12.64
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
तां हि मे सुकृतां बुद्धिं सुहृद्भिस्सह निश्चिताम्।।2.12.63।।कथं द्रक्ष्याम्यपावृत्तां परैरिव हतां चमूम्। किं मां वक्ष्यन्ति राजानो नानादिग्भ्य स्समागताः।।2.12.64।।बालो बताऽयमैक्ष्वाकश्चिरं राज्यमकारयत्।
kaikeyyā kliśyamānena rāmaḥ pravrājito mayā |
yadi satyaṃ bravīmy etat tad asatyaṃ bhaviṣyati ||
“Tormented by Kaikeyī, I have sent Rāma into exile.” Even if I speak this truth, it will be taken as untrue.
I have taken this decision in consultation with friends to install Rama. How can I see such a decision being reversed like a retreating army defeated by enemies? Kings from different quarters have already arrived and they will say, How did this ignorant descendant of the Ikshakus (Dasaratha) rule this kingdom for such a long time?
Satya can be socially powerless when dharma is violated: a king who acts against righteousness risks losing credibility so that even truthful speech is doubted.
Daśaratha foresees that if Rāma is exiled under Kaikeyī’s pressure, his own explanation—though true—will not be believed.
Commitment to truthfulness (satya) coupled with awareness of moral consequence: credibility depends on righteous conduct.