Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 11, Shloka 17
कैकेयीवरप्रार्थना
Kaikeyi Demands the Two Boons
इति देवी महेष्वासं परिगृह्याभिशस्य च।ततः परमुवाचेदं वरदं काममोहितम्।।।।
iti devī maheṣvāsaṃ parigṛhyābhiśasya ca | tataḥ param uvācedaṃ varadaṃ kāmamohitam || 2.11.17 ||
ऐसा कहकर रानी ने महाधनुर्धर को आलिंगन कर उसकी प्रशंसा की; फिर काम से मोहित उस वरदाता से यह बात कही।
Clasping the great archer, the infatuated king, conferer of boons and flattering him (to the top of her bent), the queen said:
FAQs
The verse cautions that when desire clouds judgment, one becomes vulnerable to flattery and coercion; dharma requires clarity (viveka) and steadiness.
The narration depicts Kaikeyī using physical closeness and praise to influence Daśaratha immediately before presenting her request.
Discernment and composure—especially for a ruler—so that decisions remain aligned with dharma rather than driven by moha (delusion).