Shloka 2.12.96

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

Devanagari script

त्वं राजपुत्रीवादेन न्यवसो मम वेश्मनि।अकीर्तिश्चातुला लोके ध्रुवः परिभवश्च मे।।।।सर्वभूतेषु चावज्ञा यथा पापकृतस्तथा।

Transliteration

tvaṃ rājaputrīvādena nyavaso mama veśmani; akīrtiś cātulā loke dhruvaḥ paribhavaś ca me. sarvabhūteṣu cāvajñā yathā pāpakṛtas tathā.

Translation

You lived in my palace under the pretext of being a princess; yet in the world, for me, dishonour beyond measure and certain humiliation have arisen. And among all beings there will be contempt for me, as though I were a doer of sin.

Context

You lived in my palace under the name of a princess. You have brought me, for sure, unparalleled dishonour and disgrace. Everybody will look upon me with contempt as if I have committed a sinful act.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī
• Palace (veśman)

FAQs

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

A king’s dharma includes protecting moral legitimacy and public trust; wrongful acts within the royal household stain the realm’s ethical order and invite social contempt.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha condemns Kaikeyī’s conduct and laments that her actions will make him appear sinful and dishonoured before the world.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The ideal of royal accountability: Daśaratha fears not merely personal pain but moral blame and loss of righteous standing.