Shloka 2.48.23

अयोध्यायाः शोकवर्णनम् (Ayodhya’s Lament and Civic Desolation)

Devanagari script

कैकेय्या न वयं राज्ये भृतका निवसेमहि।जीवन्त्या जातु जीवन्त्यः पुत्रैरपि शपामहे।।2.48.23।।

Transliteration

kaikeyyā na vayaṁ rājye bhṛtakā nivasemahi |

jīvantyā jātu jīvantyaḥ putrair api śapāmahe || 2.48.23 ||

Translation

So long as Kaikeyī lives, we—while we live—will never dwell in this kingdom as hirelings; we swear it, even upon our children.

Context

We swear on our sons that as long as Kaikeyi lives, or we live, we will never stay in her kingdom as servants.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Kingdom (rājya)
• Children/sons (putra)

FAQs

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

Satya expressed as a binding oath: the citizens frame moral protest as a truth-commitment, refusing complicity in what they view as adharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Amid despair and anger, the citizens vow not to remain in Ayodhya under Kaikeyī’s dominance, even if it costs them stability.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Moral steadfastness and integrity—willingness to bear hardship rather than accept unethical rule.