Shloka 2.12.7

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

Devanagari script

नृशंसे दुष्टचारित्रे कुलस्यास्य विनाशिनि।।।।किं कृतं तव रामेण पापं पापे मयापि वा।

Transliteration

idānīṃ tat tapati māṃ yan mayā sukṛtaṃ tvayi,

apathya-vyañjanopetaṃ bhuktam annam ivāturam.

Translation

Now that very kindness I once showed you burns me—like food eaten with an unwholesome dish that later torments a sick man.

Context

O woman of cruel and sinful nature, you are bent on destroying this family. What harm has been done to you by Rama or by me?

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

Dharma includes discernment (viveka) in granting boons and favors. Kindness without wise judgment can enable harmful outcomes and return as suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha reflects bitterly that his past indulgence toward Kaikeyī has empowered her present demand, which now causes him intense anguish.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral introspection: Daśaratha does not only blame Kaikeyī; he recognizes his own enabling role and the karmic-like recoil of imprudent generosity.