Shloka 2.66.19

अयोध्यायां शोकविलापः — Lamentation in Ayodhya after Daśaratha’s death

Devanagari script

कैकेय्या दुष्टभावायाः राघवेण वियोजिताः।कथं पतिघ्नया वत्स्याम स्समीपे विधवा वयम्।।।।

Transliteration

kaikeyyā duṣṭabhāvāyāḥ rāghaveṇa viyojitāḥ |

kathaṃ patighnayā vatsyāmas samīpe vidhavā vayam ||

Translation

Torn away from Rāghava by Kaikeyī of wicked intent, and now made widows—how can we live near one who has become a slayer of her husband?

Context

A woman of evil intentions, Kaikeyi, at first separated us from Rama. Now she deprived us of our husband. How can we live with one who is a slayer of her husband?

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Rāghava (Rāma)
• Daśaratha (implied as the slain husband)

FAQs

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

It frames wrongdoing as adharma through intention (duṣṭabhāva) and consequence: the community interprets Kaikeyī’s boons as leading to the king’s death, violating the protective duty expected within family and kingdom.

What is the narrative situation?

In the aftermath of Daśaratha’s death and Rāma’s exile, the women lament and openly condemn Kaikeyī as the cause of both separations.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

By contrastive emphasis, the verse highlights the ideal of familial loyalty and non-harm; Kaikeyī is portrayed as lacking these.