Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 2
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse
अतदर्हं महाराजं शयानमतथोचितम्।ययातिमिव पुण्यान्ते देवलोकात्परिच्युतम्।।2.13.1।।अनर्थरूपा सिद्धार्था ह्यभीता भयदर्शिनी।पुनराकारयामास तमेव वरमङ्गना।।2.13.2।।
atadarhaṃ mahārājaṃ śayānam atathocitam |
yayātim iva puṇyānte devalokāt paricyutam || 2.13.1 ||
anartharūpā siddhārthā hy abhītā bhayadarśinī |
punar ākārayāmāsa tam eva varam aṅganā || 2.13.2 ||
वह महान् राजा वहाँ पड़ा था—ऐसे अपमान के योग्य नहीं और न ही उसका अभ्यस्त—मानो पुण्य क्षीण होने पर ययाति देवलोक से गिर पड़ा हो। वह स्त्री, अनर्थ की मूर्ति, अपना प्रयोजन सिद्ध कर, भीतर से निडर होकर भी भय का अभिनय करती हुई, फिर उसी वर की बात उसे दोहराने लगी।
The maharaja lying on the floor resembled (king) Yayati fallen from heaven after his merits (earned earlier) were exhausted. He neither deserved nor was accustomed to such (humiliating) treatment. Fearless Kaikeyi ,the incarnate of misfortune having accomplished her purpose, displyaing feigned fear, urged the king again (without inhibition), about the boons:
FAQs
Manipulation and feigned emotion used to secure selfish ends is adharma; it degrades both the victim (through humiliation) and the perpetrator (through moral corruption).
The narrator describes Daśaratha’s humiliating collapse and Kaikeyī’s relentless insistence that he fulfill the promised boons.
By contrast and implication: Daśaratha’s dignity as a righteous king is highlighted by his undeserved humiliation; Kaikeyī’s lack of compassion is foregrounded.