Valmiki Ramayana 2.12.70 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 70
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
इदानीं तत्तपति मां यन्मया सुकृतं त्वयि।।।।अपथ्यव्यञ्जनोपेतं भुक्तमन्नमिवातुरम्।
idānīṃ tat tapati māṃ yan mayā sukṛtaṃ tvayi,
apathya-vyañjanopetaṃ bhuktam annam ivāturam.
इदानीं तदेव तन्मम हृदयं दहति यन्मया त्वयि कृतं सुकृतम्। यथा व्याधितस्यापथ्यव्यञ्जनसहितं भुक्तमन्नं पश्चात् पीडां जनयति॥
O woman of cruel and sinful nature, you are bent on destroying this family. What harm has been done to you by Rama or by me?
FAQs
Dharma includes discernment (viveka) in granting boons and favors. Kindness without wise judgment can enable harmful outcomes and return as suffering.
Daśaratha reflects bitterly that his past indulgence toward Kaikeyī has empowered her present demand, which now causes him intense anguish.
Moral introspection: Daśaratha does not only blame Kaikeyī; he recognizes his own enabling role and the karmic-like recoil of imprudent generosity.
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