Valmiki Ramayana 2.11.4: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 11, Shloka 4
कैकेयीवरप्रार्थना · Kaikeyi Demands the Two Boons
तामुवाच महातेजाः कैकेयीमीषदुत्स्मितः ।
कामी हस्तेन संगृह्य मूर्धजेषु शुचिस्मिताम् ॥४॥
tām uvāca mahātejāḥ kaikeyīm īṣad utsmitaḥ |
kāmī hastena saṅgṛhya mūrdhajeṣu śucismitām ||4||
राजा बहोत पावरफुल थे। थोड़ा मुस्कुरा रहे थे, प्यार में आ गए थे। कैकेयी के बालों को हाथ लगाया और उससे बोली। कैकेयी भी मुस्करा रही थी, साफ़ दिल से।
The mighty king steeped in passion gently held Kaikeyi's hair in his hands and with a clear, bright smile said:
FAQs
The verse sets up a dharmic tension: personal desire and indulgent intimacy can cloud discernment, becoming the precondition for later unethical outcomes.
After Kaikeyī asks for a promise, the narration describes Daśaratha’s affectionate, desire-tinged response as he prepares to speak.
No virtue is directly praised; rather, the scene highlights vulnerability—how a ruler’s self-control can be tested by attachment and pleasure.
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