Shloka 2.53.6
पञ्चाशत्तमः सर्गः (Sarga 53) — Rāma’s Lament, Vigil for Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa’s Consolation
ध्रुवमद्य महाराजो दुःखं स्वपिति लक्ष्मण।कृतकामा तु कैकेयी तुष्टा भवितुमर्हति।।।।
dhruvam adya mahārājo duḥkhaṃ svapiti lakṣmaṇa | kṛtakāmā tu kaikeyī tuṣṭā bhavitum arhati ||
Surely tonight the great king sleeps in sorrow, O Lakṣmaṇa; but Kaikeyī, her desire accomplished, must be feeling satisfied.
O Lakshmana, the maharaja must be having a painful sleep tonight. But Kaikeyi with her desires fulfilled, ought to feel satisfied.
The verse contrasts dharma-guided compassion with desire-driven satisfaction: dharma feels another’s suffering, while unchecked kāma can ignore it.
On the night in the forest, Rāma reflects on Ayodhyā—Daśaratha’s grief and Kaikeyī’s fulfillment after securing exile and Bharata’s kingship.
Rāma’s empathy for his father and his clear-eyed moral discernment about desire’s power.