Shloka 2.57.31
सप्तपञ्चाशः सर्गः — Sumantra’s Return to Ayodhya and the Palace’s Lament
देव यस्या भयाद्रामं नानुपृच्छसि सारथिम्।नेह तिष्ठिति कैकेयी विस्रब्धं प्रतिभाष्यताम्।।।।
deva yasyā bhayād rāmaṃ nānupṛcchasi sārathim | neha tiṣṭhati kaikeyī visrabdhaṃ pratibhāṣyatām ||
O king, she out of fear of whom you do not question the charioteer about Rāma—Kaikeyī is not here now; speak freely, without anxiety.
Kaikeyi for fear of whom you dare not ask the charioteer about Rama, O king! is not here. You may speak to him without fear.
Moral agency through truthful inquiry: Kausalya urges Dasharatha to seek facts directly and speak without fear, implying that dharma requires clarity and courage.
Kausalya points out that Kaikeyi is absent and urges Dasharatha to question Sumantra openly about Rama.
Kausalya’s fearlessness and insistence on transparent speech in a politically charged household.