Shloka 2.12.67
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
किं मां वक्ष्यति कौशल्या राघवे वनमास्थिते।।।।किं चैनां प्रतिवक्ष्यामि कृत्वा विप्रियमीदृशम्।
kiṃ māṃ vakṣyati kauśalyā rāghave vanam āsthite?
kiṃ caināṃ prativakṣyāmi kṛtvā vipriyam īdṛśam?
If Rāghava goes to dwell in the forest, what will Kauśalyā say to me? And having done such a grievous wrong, what answer could I possibly give her?
If Rama takes refuge in the forest, what will Kausalya say to me? Having committed such an unpleasant act, what reply can I give her?
The verse foregrounds accountability in dharma: a king and husband must answer to those harmed by his decisions. Daśaratha recognizes that causing Rāma’s exile violates familial and royal responsibility, and that wrongdoing demands moral reckoning.
Daśaratha, bound by Kaikeyī’s demanded boons, foresees Rāma being sent to the forest and laments the inevitable confrontation with Kauśalyā, Rāma’s mother.
Conscience and moral sensitivity: Daśaratha’s inner anguish shows an awareness of right and wrong and the shame of failing those who deserve protection.