Shloka 2.12.71

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

Devanagari script

विप्रकारं च रामस्य सम्प्रयाणं वनस्य च।।।।सुमित्रा प्रेक्ष्य वै भीता कथं मे विश्वसिष्यति।

Transliteration

kṛpaṇaṃ bata vaidehī śroṣyati dvayam apriyam,

māṃ ca pañcatvam āpannaṃ rāmaṃ ca vanam āśritam.

Translation

Alas, poor Vaidehī will have to hear two bitter tidings: that I have met with death, and that Rāma has taken refuge in the forest.

Context

In seeing the insult meted out to Rama and his journey to the forest, how will frightened Sumitra have confidence in me?

Characters & Entities

• Vaidehī (Sītā)
• Daśaratha (implied as 'me')
• Rāma
• forest (vana)

FAQs

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

Dharma is sensitive to the ripple effects of decisions: harming the righteous (Rāma) inflicts suffering on innocents (Sītā) as well. Ethical action considers consequences for all dependents.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha foresees that his own death from grief and Rāma’s exile will together devastate Sītā.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Empathy: Daśaratha’s mind turns to Sītā’s pain, highlighting the compassionate awareness expected of elders and kings.