Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 13, Shloka 5
अयोध्याकाण्डे त्रयोदशः सर्गः | Kaikeyi Presses the Boons; Dasaratha’s Lament and Collapse
मृते मयि गते रामे वनं मनुजपुङ्गवे।हन्तानार्ये ममामित्रे सकामा सुखिनी भव।।।।
mṛte mayi gate rāme vanaṃ manuja-puṅgave | hantānārye mamāmitre sakāmā sukhinī bhava ||
నేను మరణించి, మనుజశ్రేష్ఠుడైన రాముడు వనానికి వెళ్లిన తరువాత—అయ్యో! హే అనార్యే, నా శత్రువా—నీ కోరిక నెరవేరి నీవు సుఖంగా ఉండు.
Alas! O ignoble woman, my enemy, your desire would be fulfilled after Rama, the foremost among men is exiled and I am dead. You will be happy thereafter!
FAQs
It exposes the ethical tragedy of misused rights: a boon and vow (meant to uphold honor) can be weaponized against dharma, bringing ruin rather than harmony.
Daśaratha, despairing, speaks bitterly to Kaikeyī, predicting his death and Rāma’s exile.
Rāma’s stature as ‘foremost among men’ is affirmed even in crisis, implying his worthiness and dharmic excellence.