Valmiki Ramayana 2.12.77: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 77
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
अनृतैर्बहु मां सान्त्वै स्सान्त्वयन्ती स्म भाषसे।गीतशब्देन संरुध्य लुब्धो मृगमिवावधीः।।।।
anṛtair bahu māṁ sāntvaiḥ sāntvayantī sma bhāṣase | gītaśabdena saṁrudhya lubdho mṛgam ivāvadhīḥ ||
Con muchas palabras halagüeñas pero falsas solías apaciguarme; y luego—como un cazador que atrapa a un ciervo atrayéndolo con canto—me has abatido.
You used to console me with so many words pleasing but untrue and you killed me like a hunter getting the deer trapped and slaughtered through the melody of music.
FAQs
It condemns anṛta (falsehood) disguised as kindness: speech that appears gentle but is untrue violates satya and harms dharmic trust.
Daśaratha accuses Kaikeyī of having long manipulated him with pleasing words, culminating in demands that devastate him.
Satya in vāṇī (truthful speech) is emphasized by contrast; the verse shows how unethical persuasion can destroy relationships.
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