Shloka 2.13.24

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

Devanagari script

विशुद्धभावस्य सुदुष्टभावाताम्रेक्षणस्याश्रुकलस्य राज्ञः।श्रुत्वा विचित्रं करुणं विलापंभर्तुर्नृशंसा न चकार वाक्यम्।।।।

Transliteration

viśuddha-bhāvasya suduṣṭa-bhāvā tāmrīkṣaṇasyāśru-kalasya rājñaḥ | śrutvā vicitraṃ karuṇaṃ vilāpaṃ bhartur nṛśaṃsā na cakāra vākyam ||

Translation

Hearing her husband—the pure-hearted king—lament in many piteous ways, his eyes reddened and brimming with tears, that hard-hearted woman of wicked intent did not comply with his words.

Context

The king with a clean heart, whose eyes had been rendered red with weeping wailed piteously. Even after hearing it, that malicious woman full of wicked thoughts did not act upon his word.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

Dharma is contrasted with adharma through compassion: refusing a righteous plea despite evident suffering is portrayed as moral hardness.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha weeps and pleads; Kaikeyī remains unmoved and does not accept his request.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Daśaratha’s sincerity and emotional truthfulness versus Kaikeyī’s lack of compassion.