Shloka 2.12.92
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse (Ayodhya Kanda 12)
मया रामेण च त्यक्तं शाश्वतं सत्कृतं गुणैः।।।।इक्ष्वाकुकुलमक्षोभ्यमाकुलं पालयिष्यसि।
mayā rāmeṇa ca tyaktaṃ śāśvataṃ satkṛtaṃ guṇaiḥ | ikṣvākukulamakṣobhyam ākulaṃ pālayiṣyasi ||
You will rule the Ikṣvāku line, ever revered for its virtues; yet, abandoned by me and by Rāma, it will be cast into turmoil and grief.
You will rule undisturbed the Ikshvaku race honoured for its divine virtues. Now abandoned by me and Rama it will be afflicted with grief.
Dharma of governance: a ruler’s legitimacy rests on virtue and stability; removing the righteous heir fractures social order and harms the dynasty’s moral standing.
Daśaratha warns Kaikeyī that even if she attains control, the kingdom and dynasty will be distressed without him and Rāma.
Rāma’s role as the stabilizing dharmic center of the dynasty—his absence is portrayed as societal upheaval.