Shloka 2.12.70
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
इदानीं तत्तपति मां यन्मया सुकृतं त्वयि।।।।अपथ्यव्यञ्जनोपेतं भुक्तमन्नमिवातुरम्।
viprakāraṃ ca rāmasya samprayāṇaṃ vanasya ca,
sumitrā prekṣya vai bhītā kathaṃ me viśvasiṣyati?
Seeing the affront to Rāma and his departure for the forest, how will Sumitrā—terrified—ever trust me again?
I have done many favours to you. Like a sick person afflicted by eating rice mixed with unwholesome curry, those acts of kindness are burning me now.
Dharma in governance and family life requires maintaining trust through just action. When a ruler wrongs the virtuous, even close relations lose faith in his moral authority.
Daśaratha anticipates the reaction of Sumitrā (mother of Lakṣmaṇa and Śatrughna) upon witnessing Rāma’s humiliation and exile.
The value of trustworthiness (viśvāsa-yogyatā) in a king: Daśaratha fears he will no longer appear reliable or righteous to his own household.