Valmiki Ramayana 2.13.1 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 1
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse
अतदर्हं महाराजं शयानमतथोचितम्।ययातिमिव पुण्यान्ते देवलोकात्परिच्युतम्।।।।अनर्थरूपा सिद्धार्था ह्यभीता भयदर्शिनी।पुनराकारयामास तमेव वरमङ्गना।।।।
atadarhaṃ mahārājaṃ śayānam atathocitam, yayātim iva puṇyānte devalokāt paricyutam. anartharūpā siddhārthā hy abhītā bhayadarśinī, punar ākārayāmāsa tam eva varam aṅganā.
Le grand roi gisait prostré, indigne d’un tel traitement et peu accoutumé à cela, tel Yayāti chuté du ciel lorsque son mérite fut épuisé. Cette femme, incarnation du malheur, son dessein accompli, sans crainte mais feignant l’effroi, le pressa de nouveau au sujet de ces mêmes dons.
How will my son for whom the cooks with kundalas in their ears used to proudly prepare enough food and beverages subsist on astringent, pungent, bitter wild fruits and roots?
FAQs
Dharma condemns coercion and manipulation: exploiting another’s vulnerability to enforce a promise violates righteous conduct even if it appears ‘lawful’ by words.
After Daśaratha collapses in misery, Kaikeyī reiterates her demands, and the narration likens the king’s fall to Yayāti’s fall from heaven.
By contrast, Daśaratha’s dignity and worthiness are emphasized (he is ‘not fit’ for humiliation), highlighting the ethical ugliness of Kaikeyī’s pressure.
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