Valmiki Ramayana 2.12.94-95: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shlokas 94-95
द्वादशः सर्गः · Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
Spoken by Dasharatha to KaikeyiSetting: Ayodhya palacePlaces named: Forest, Kingdom
हन्तानार्ये ममामित्रे सकामा भव कैकयि ॥९४॥
मृते मयि गते रामे वनं पुरुषपुङ्गवे ।
सेदानीं विधवा राज्यं सपुत्रा कारयिष्यसि ॥९५॥
hantānārye mamāmitre sakāmā bhava kaikayi ||94||
mṛte mayi gate rāme vanaṃ puruṣapuṅgave |
sedānīṃ vidhavā rājyaṃ saputrā kārayiṣyasi ||95||
कैकेयी, तुम तो मेरे दुश्मन हो। तुमने जो चाहा था वो हो जाएगा। राम जंगल चला गया, सबसे बड़ा आदमी। और जब मैं मर जाऊंगा, तुम अपने बेटे के साथ राज करोगी। तुम विध्वा हो कर भी राज चलाओगी।
Sandhi Notes
- मम + अमित्रे → ममामित्रे
- हन्त + अनार्ये → हन्तानार्ये
- सा + इदानीम् → सेदानीम् (स्वर-सन्धि: आ + इ → ए)।
O my enemy, O wicked Kaikeyi, after Rama, the foremost of men, has left for the forest your desires will be fulfilled. And after my death, you as a widow along with your son will rule the kingdom.
The teaching
Unrighteous demands lead to destruction; actions have inevitable consequences
Duties in tension
- Rāja-dharma
- Pitṛ-dharma
- Satya-dharma
- Ethical theme
- Adharma-phala
- How it resolves
- Tragic resolution
For your practice
Warning about consequences of adharma
Mood and themes
- Rasa
- Karuna (compassion), with Raudra (fury)
- Mood
- Heartbroken, bitter, prophetic
Themes
- Dharma
- Adharma
- Karma
- Consequences
- Itihasa
- Tragedy
- Dasharatha and Kaikeyi
- Husband-wife
- Dasharatha and Rama
- Father-son
Ramcharitmanas 2.85; Mahabharata - Dhritarashtra's similar curse
2.10.25; 2.11.1
Anuṣṭup
Grieving
Kaisiki
FAQs
The verse illustrates the karmic consequences of Adharma. Dasaratha's bitter words reveal that actions driven by selfish desire and betrayal of Dharma ultimately lead to suffering, even for those who appear to succeed. The prophecy that Kaikeyi will rule as a widow carries an implicit curse - her 'victory' will be hollow and marked by loss.
King Dasaratha, devastated by Kaikeyi's demand to exile Rama, is speaking in anguish and anger. He addresses Kaikeyi as his enemy and predicts the bitter outcome of her actions: while her desires may be fulfilled temporarily, she will ultimately rule as a widow after his death, suggesting that her triumph will be marked by grief and loneliness.
The verse emphasizes the tragic consequences of adharma (unrighteousness) and the hollow nature of success achieved through unethical means. Dasaratha's words serve as a powerful reminder that true happiness cannot come from actions that cause suffering to others and violate sacred bonds of trust and duty.
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