Valmiki Ramayana 2.13.1 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 1
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse
अतदर्हं महाराजं शयानमतथोचितम्।ययातिमिव पुण्यान्ते देवलोकात्परिच्युतम्।।।।अनर्थरूपा सिद्धार्था ह्यभीता भयदर्शिनी।पुनराकारयामास तमेव वरमङ्गना।।।।
atadarhaṃ mahārājaṃ śayānam atathocitam, yayātim iva puṇyānte devalokāt paricyutam. anartharūpā siddhārthā hy abhītā bhayadarśinī, punar ākārayāmāsa tam eva varam aṅganā.
大王はうつ伏して倒れ、かかる仕打ちに値せず、また慣れぬまま—功徳尽きて天界より落ちたヤヤーティのようであった。あの女は不幸の化身、目的を遂げ、恐れぬ身でありながら恐れを装い、同じ恩寵の願いを再び彼に迫った。
How will my son for whom the cooks with kundalas in their ears used to proudly prepare enough food and beverages subsist on astringent, pungent, bitter wild fruits and roots?
FAQs
Dharma condemns coercion and manipulation: exploiting another’s vulnerability to enforce a promise violates righteous conduct even if it appears ‘lawful’ by words.
After Daśaratha collapses in misery, Kaikeyī reiterates her demands, and the narration likens the king’s fall to Yayāti’s fall from heaven.
By contrast, Daśaratha’s dignity and worthiness are emphasized (he is ‘not fit’ for humiliation), highlighting the ethical ugliness of Kaikeyī’s pressure.
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