Shloka 2.13.1

अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse

Devanagari script

अतदर्हं महाराजं शयानमतथोचितम्।ययातिमिव पुण्यान्ते देवलोकात्परिच्युतम्।।।।अनर्थरूपा सिद्धार्था ह्यभीता भयदर्शिनी।पुनराकारयामास तमेव वरमङ्गना।।।।

Transliteration

katham indīvaraśyāmaṃ dīrghabāhuṃ mahābalam, abhirāmam ahaṃ rāmaṃ preṣayiṣyāmi daṇḍakān.

Translation

How can I send Rāma to the Daṇḍaka forest—Rāma whose hue is like the blue lotus, whose arms are long, whose strength is great, and whose very presence is charming?

Context

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:

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī
• Rāma
• Daṇḍaka (forest)

FAQs

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

Dharma is tied to fitness and fairness: it is ethically painful to punish or exile one who is exemplary and undeserving of hardship.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha pleads internally/verbally, describing Rāma’s virtues and questioning how he could possibly carry out the exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s ideal princely excellence—strength, beauty, and noble presence—supporting his role as dharmic heir.