Shloka 8
सीतारावणसंवादः
Ravana Reveals Himself; Sita Affirms Rama’s Dharma
नाद्य भोक्ष्ये न च स्वप्स्ये न पास्येच कथञ्चन।।3.47.8।।एष मे जीवितस्यान्तो रामो यद्यभिषिच्यते।
nādya bhokṣye na ca svapsye na pāsyeca kathañcana | eṣa me jīvitasya ’nto rāmo yady abhiṣicyate || 3.47.8 ||
“ഇന്ന് ഞാൻ ഭക്ഷിക്കുകയില്ല, ഉറങ്ങുകയില്ല, എങ്ങനെയും വെള്ളം കുടിക്കുകയുമില്ല; രാമന് അഭിഷേകം നടന്നാൽ അതുതന്നെ എന്റെ ജീവന്റെ അന്ത്യം.”
'I shall not eat, or sleep or even drink if Rama is consecrated and I shall put an end to my life itself' (said Kaikeyi).
FAQs
It highlights an ethical violation by implication: coercing decisions through self-harm threats undermines righteous deliberation and truthful consent.
Kaikeyī applies pressure by declaring she will renounce food, sleep, and drink—and die—if Rāma is crowned.
By contrast, the king’s vulnerability to emotional coercion is set up; the verse itself foregrounds Kaikeyī’s obstinate resolve (used manipulatively).