Shloka 2.12.76
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
सतीं त्वामहमत्यन्तं व्यवस्याम्यसतीं सतीम्।रूपिणीं विषसंयुक्तां पीत्वेव मदिरां नरः।।।।
satīṁ tvām aham atyantaṁ vyavasyāmy asatīṁ satīm | rūpiṇīṁ viṣasaṁyuktāṁ pītv eva madirāṁ naraḥ ||
Just as a man, deceived by an alluring appearance, drinks wine mixed with poison thinking it wholesome, so too I had firmly believed you to be a chaste woman—yet in truth, despite your great beauty, you are unchaste.
Like people regarding wine mixed with poison as fine before drinking it, I had a firm belief that you were a chaste woman, but while you who look extremely beautiful you are actually not so.
Dharma here highlights discernment and truth in relationships: outward beauty or pleasing appearance must not be mistaken for inner virtue (satya and śīla).
Daśaratha, shocked by Kaikeyī’s demands, rebukes her and laments that he misjudged her character.
The implied virtue is satya-based integrity in marital conduct; the verse condemns deceit that violates trust and righteous household life.