अष्टादशः सर्गः
Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration
न राजा कुपितो राम व्यसनं नास्य किञ्चन।किञ्चिन्मनोगतंत्वस्य त्वद्भयान्नाभिभाषते।।।।
na rājā kupito rāma vyasanaṃ nāsya kiñcana | kiñcin manogataṃ tv asya tvad-bhayān nābhibhāṣate ||
Wahai Rāma, raja tidak murka, dan tiada suatu malapetaka pun menimpanya. Namun kerana gentar akanmu, baginda tidak mampu melafazkan apa yang tersimpan di dalam hati.
O Rama, the king is neither angry, nor has any misforturne befallen him. But out of fear for you he is not able to speak out what he has in mind.
The verse implicitly contrasts dharmic clarity with emotional pressure: truth should be spoken responsibly, yet Kaikeyī frames silence as fear, preparing to compel action without transparent dialogue.
Kaikeyī explains Daśaratha’s silence to Rāma, claiming the king is unable to speak what he intends.
Rāma’s expected virtue is steadiness and obedience to dharma; Daśaratha’s vulnerability is shown as emotional incapacity to speak against his beloved son.