Shloka 2.13.6

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

Devanagari script

स्वर्गेऽपि खलु रामस्य कुशलं दैवतैरहम्।प्रत्यादेशादभिहितं धारयिष्ये कथं बत।।।।

Transliteration

svarge 'pi khalu rāmasya kuśalaṃ daivatair aham | pratyādeśād abhihitaṃ dhārayiṣye kathaṃ bata ||

Translation

Even in heaven, when the gods ask me of Rāma’s welfare, how indeed shall I maintain what I have declared in denial and repudiation? Alas—what a calamity.

Context

Even in heaven when the gods enquire about the welfare of Rama how will I convince them about his banishment repudiating the fact? What a catastrophe!

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī
• Rāma
• svarga (heaven)
• daivata (gods)

FAQs

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

Satya is shown as accountability before higher witnesses: the king fears moral scrutiny even beyond life, revealing truth as a cosmic, not merely social, obligation.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha imagines the afterlife and the gods questioning him about Rāma, and he dreads having to justify the exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

A tender conscience: Daśaratha’s inner commitment to truth and moral reputation before divine judgment.