Shloka 2.13.21
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse
शून्ये न खलु सुश्रोणि मयेदं समुदाहृतम्।।।।कुरु साधु प्रसादं मे बाले सहृदया ह्यसि।
śūnye na khalu suśroṇi mayedaṃ samudāhṛtam |
kuru sādhu prasādaṃ me bāle sahṛdayā hy asi |
O fair-hipped one, surely I have not spoken these words into emptiness. O young lady, grant me this favor—for indeed you are kind at heart.
O lady with fair hips, I hope whatever I have said has not been a cry in the (empty) sky. O young lady show me this favour. Surely you are kind-hearted.
Dharma is sustained by responsiveness to rightful plea; ignoring sincere supplication is portrayed as moral hardness, while kindness of heart is upheld as the proper standard.
Daśaratha continues to beseech Kaikeyī, hoping his words will move her and not vanish without effect.
The virtue invoked is compassion (sahṛdayatā). Daśaratha appeals to Kaikeyī’s better nature, even as the narrative elsewhere questions it.