Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 48
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
एकाहमपि पश्येयं यद्यहं राममातरम्।अञ्जलिं प्रतिगृह्णन्तीं श्रेयो ननु मृतिर्मम।।।।
ekāham api paśyeyaṃ yady ahaṃ rāmamātaram |
añjaliṃ pratigṛhṇantīṃ śreyo nanu mṛtir mama || 2.12.48 ||
ଯଦି ମୁଁ ଗୋଟିଏ ଦିନ ପାଇଁ ମଧ୍ୟ ରାମଙ୍କ ମାତାଙ୍କୁ ସମ୍ମାନ ଗ୍ରହଣ କରୁଥିବାର ଦେଖେ, ତେବେ ମୋ ପାଇଁ ମୃତ୍ୟୁ ହିଁ ଶ୍ରେୟସ୍କର।
If I were to see Rama's mother receiving homage from everybody even for a day, I shall prefer my death.
FAQs
It shows how adharma can arise from envy and status-obsession: personal resentment is used to override just succession and to manipulate a ruler’s duty-bound choices.
Kaikeyī declares she cannot bear Kausalyā’s elevation (through Rāma’s coronation) and frames death as preferable.
By contrast, the virtue implied is equanimity (samatva); the verse highlights its absence and the destructive ethical consequences of jealousy.