Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 2
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse
अतदर्हं महाराजं शयानमतथोचितम्।ययातिमिव पुण्यान्ते देवलोकात्परिच्युतम्।।2.13.1।।अनर्थरूपा सिद्धार्था ह्यभीता भयदर्शिनी।पुनराकारयामास तमेव वरमङ्गना।।2.13.2।।
atadarhaṃ mahārājaṃ śayānam atathocitam |
yayātim iva puṇyānte devalokāt paricyutam || 2.13.1 ||
anartharūpā siddhārthā hy abhītā bhayadarśinī |
punar ākārayāmāsa tam eva varam aṅganā || 2.13.2 ||
The great king, lying there—unworthy of such treatment and unaccustomed to it—seemed like Yayāti fallen from heaven when his merit was spent. That woman, misfortune embodied, her aim achieved, fearless yet feigning fear, again pressed him about those very boons.
The maharaja lying on the floor resembled (king) Yayati fallen from heaven after his merits (earned earlier) were exhausted. He neither deserved nor was accustomed to such (humiliating) treatment. Fearless Kaikeyi ,the incarnate of misfortune having accomplished her purpose, displyaing feigned fear, urged the king again (without inhibition), about the boons:
FAQs
Manipulation and feigned emotion used to secure selfish ends is adharma; it degrades both the victim (through humiliation) and the perpetrator (through moral corruption).
The narrator describes Daśaratha’s humiliating collapse and Kaikeyī’s relentless insistence that he fulfill the promised boons.
By contrast and implication: Daśaratha’s dignity as a righteous king is highlighted by his undeserved humiliation; Kaikeyī’s lack of compassion is foregrounded.