Valmiki Ramayana 2.13.17 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 17
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse
न प्रभातं त्वयेच्छामि निशे नक्षत्रभूषणे।।।।क्रियतां मे दया भद्रे मयाऽयं रचितोऽञ्जलिः।
na prabhātaṃ tvayecchāmi niśe nakṣatrabhūṣaṇe |
kriyatāṃ me dayā bhadre mayāyaṃ racito 'ñjaliḥ |
निशे नक्षत्रभूषणे, त्वया प्रभातं न इच्छामि। भद्रे, मे दया क्रियताम्—अयं मया रचितोऽञ्जलिः।
'O auspicious-looking Night adorned with stars, I do not wish to see the dawn. O gentle night, be kind to me I pray with folded hands'.
FAQs
Under the weight of impending unrighteousness, one may plead for delay; the verse highlights the dread of facing a new day when truth and duty seem impossible to reconcile.
Daśaratha, overwhelmed, addresses the night itself, begging it not to yield to dawn, as if postponing the crisis could reduce his suffering.
Humility and supplication—despite being king, Daśaratha prays with folded hands, revealing his helplessness before fate and moral consequence.
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