Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 11, Shloka 17
कैकेयीवरप्रार्थना
Kaikeyi Demands the Two Boons
इति देवी महेष्वासं परिगृह्याभिशस्य च।ततः परमुवाचेदं वरदं काममोहितम्।।।।
iti devī maheṣvāsaṃ parigṛhyābhiśasya ca | tataḥ param uvācedaṃ varadaṃ kāmamohitam || 2.11.17 ||
असे म्हणून देवीने महाधनुर्धरास आलिंगन देऊन त्याची स्तुती केली; मग कामाने मोहित झालेल्या त्या वरदात्यास हे वचन म्हणाली।
Clasping the great archer, the infatuated king, conferer of boons and flattering him (to the top of her bent), the queen said:
FAQs
The verse cautions that when desire clouds judgment, one becomes vulnerable to flattery and coercion; dharma requires clarity (viveka) and steadiness.
The narration depicts Kaikeyī using physical closeness and praise to influence Daśaratha immediately before presenting her request.
Discernment and composure—especially for a ruler—so that decisions remain aligned with dharma rather than driven by moha (delusion).