Shloka 2.13.7

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

Devanagari script

कैकेय्याः प्रियकामेन रामः प्रव्राजितो मया।यदि सत्यं ब्रवीम्येतत्तदसत्यं भविष्यति।।।।

Transliteration

kaikeyyāḥ priya-kāmena rāmaḥ pravrājito mayā | yadi satyaṃ bravīmy etat tad asatyaṃ bhaviṣyati ||

Translation

If I speak the plain truth—‘To satisfy Kaikeyī’s desire, I have sent Rāma into exile’—that very truth will be taken as false.

Context

If I tell the truth, 'To please Kaikeyi I have sent Rama to the forest', none will believe it and will consider it untruth.

Characters & Entities

• Daśaratha
• Kaikeyī
• Rāma
• pravrājya (exile)

FAQs

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

Satya is not only speaking facts but preserving moral credibility: Daśaratha recognizes that actions contrary to dharma can make even truthful speech socially unbelievable.

What is the narrative situation?

Daśaratha anticipates public disbelief at the motive behind Rāma’s exile—doing it merely to please Kaikeyī seems morally impossible to others.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral awareness and concern for public trust: the king understands that legitimacy depends on dharmic reasoning, not mere assertion.