Shloka 2.36.17
अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः — Daśaratha’s orders for Rama’s escort; Kaikeyi’s fear; the Asamañjasa precedent
एवमुक्तो धिगित्येव राजा दशरथोऽब्रवीत्।व्रीडितश्च जनस्सर्व स्सा च तं नावबुध्यत।।।।
evam ukto dhig ity eva rājā daśaratho 'bravīt | vrīḍitaś ca janaḥ sarvaḥ sā ca taṃ nāvabudhyata || 2.36.17 ||
Thus addressed, King Daśaratha could only utter, “Shame!” All who were present felt abashed, yet she (Kaikeyī) did not grasp it.
Hearing the words of Kaikeyi, Dasaratha could say only 'shame'. All the people felt ashamed, but Kaikeyi could not understand this.
Moral shame (lajjā) and communal conscience act as ethical regulators; losing sensitivity to shame signals a fall from dharma.
After Kaikeyī’s argument, Daśaratha is emotionally broken and can only utter a condemnation; the courtly atmosphere turns to collective embarrassment.
The virtue of moral sensitivity: the assembled people feel shame at adharma, while Kaikeyī’s inability to perceive it marks ethical hardening.