कैकेयीवरप्रार्थना
Kaikeyi Demands the Two Boons
तेनाजय्येन मुख्येन राघवेण महात्मना।शपे ते जीवनार्हेण ब्रूहि यन्मनसेच्छासि।।।।
tenājayyenamukhyena rāghaveṇa mahātmanā | śape te jīvanārheṇa brūhi yan manas ecchasi ||
Aku bersumpah kepadamu demi Rāghava itu—yang tiada terkalahkan, yang utama, berhati mulia, layak berumur panjang. Katakanlah, apakah yang diingini hatimu?
If you are inclined to accomplish my desire, then promise me that you will fulfil them. Thereafter I shall reveal it to you.
The sanctity of an oath: Daśaratha invokes Rāma as the moral witness, making truthfulness (satya) and vow-keeping (pratijñā) a binding dharmic act.
Daśaratha, eager to satisfy Kaikeyī, swears by Rāma and asks her to state her wish.
Rāma’s invincibility and greatness of soul are emphasized as the highest standard by which the king seals his promise.