Shloka 2.13.12

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

Devanagari script

यदि दुःखमकृत्वाऽद्य मम संक्रमणं भवेत्।अदुःखार्हस्य रामस्य तत स्सुखमवाप्नुयाम्।।।।

Transliteration

yadi duḥkham akṛtvādya mama saṅkramaṇaṃ bhavet | aduḥkhārhasya rāmasya tataḥ sukham avāpnuyām ||

Translation

If death should come to me today without my having inflicted sorrow upon Rāma—who deserves no suffering—then from that I would gain peace.

Context

If death comes to me right now I shall be very happy because I will not have to inflict suffering on Rama who does not deserve it.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• death

FAQs

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

Not harming the innocent is central to dharma; Daśaratha views causing pain to the blameless Rāma as morally unbearable.

What is the narrative situation?

In despair over the exile decision, Daśaratha expresses that dying now would be preferable to living while causing Rāma suffering.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Rāma’s innocence and deservingness of happiness; Daśaratha’s conscience and remorse.