Shloka 2.12.75

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

Devanagari script

सा नूनं विधवा राज्यं सपुत्रा कारयिष्यसि।।।।न हि प्रव्राजिते रामे देवि जीवितुमुत्सहे।

Transliteration

sā nūnaṃ vidhavā rājyaṃ saputrā kārayiṣyasi | na hi pravrājite rāme devi jīvitum utsahe ||

Translation

Surely you will govern the kingdom as a widow, together with your son; for, O queen, once Rāma is exiled, I have no will to live.

Context

O Devi you will certainly rule the kingdom as a widow along with your son. (But) I do not wish to live after Rama is exiled.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī
• Rāma
• Kaikeyī’s son (Bharata, implied)
• kingdom (Ayodhyā, implied)

FAQs

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

Dharma’s cost is highlighted: the king’s duty-bound action (exile) destroys his personal happiness, showing the painful tension between role and heart.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha, broken by the impending exile of Rāma, tells Kaikeyī he cannot bear life afterward and bitterly predicts her rule.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s worthiness (implied) and Daśaratha’s deep paternal devotion; also the gravity of royal decisions.