Valmiki Ramayana 2.12.48: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 48
द्वादशः सर्गः · Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
एकाहमपि पश्येयं यद्यहं राममातरम् ।
अञ्जलिं प्रतिगृह्णन्तीं श्रेयो ननु मृतिर्मम ॥४८॥
ekāham api paśyeyaṃ yady ahaṃ rāmamātaram |
añjaliṃ pratigṛhṇantīṃ śreyo nanu mṛtir mama ||48||
अगर एक दिन भी राम की माता को लोग सलाम करते देखूं। तो मेरा मर जाना बेहतर है।
If I were to see Rama's mother receiving homage from everybody even for a day, I shall prefer my death.
FAQs
It shows how adharma can arise from envy and status-obsession: personal resentment is used to override just succession and to manipulate a ruler’s duty-bound choices.
Kaikeyī declares she cannot bear Kausalyā’s elevation (through Rāma’s coronation) and frames death as preferable.
By contrast, the virtue implied is equanimity (samatva); the verse highlights its absence and the destructive ethical consequences of jealousy.
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