Shloka 2.66.22
अयोध्यायां शोकविलापः — Lamentation in Ayodhya after Daśaratha’s death
यया तु राजा रामश्च लक्ष्मणश्च महाबलः।सीतया सह सन्त्यक्ता स्साकमन्यं न हास्यति।।।।
yayā tu rājā rāmaś ca lakṣmaṇaś ca mahābalaḥ |
sītayā saha santyaktā sā kaman anyaṃ na hāsyati ||
She who could cast off the king, and Rāma, and mighty Lakṣmaṇa—along with Sītā—whom else would that Kaikeyī not cast aside?
Why will not Kaikeyi who has abandoned the king, valiant Rama and Lakshmana along with Sita cast aside others?
It condemns betrayal of relational dharma—spousal loyalty and familial responsibility—showing that violation of duty toward the highest dependents (king, heirs, and Sītā) signals a broader collapse of moral restraint.
In the aftermath of the exile and the king’s death, the queens reflect on Kaikeyī’s harshness and fear further wrongdoing.
By contrast, the verse indirectly elevates the virtue of fidelity and compassion—qualities Kaikeyī is portrayed as lacking at this moment.