Valmiki Ramayana 2.36.11: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 36, Shloka 11
अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः
Daśaratha’s orders for Rama’s escort; Kaikeyi’s fear; the Asamañjasa precedent
सा विषण्णा च सन्त्रस्ता मुखेन परिशुष्यता।राजानमेवाभिमुखी कैकेयी वाक्यमब्रवीत्।।।।
sā viṣaṇṇā ca santrastā mukhena pariśuṣyatā | rājānam evābhimukhī kaikeyī vākyam abravīt || 2.36.11 ||
ఆమె విషణ్ణురాలై, సంత్రస్తురాలై, ముఖం ఎండిపోతుండగా—కైకేయి రాజుని ఎదురుగా చూసి మాటలు పలికింది।
The dejected and frightened Kaikeyi with a dry countenance, looked at the king and said:
FAQs
Speech (vāk) is shown as consequential: the scene frames a pivotal utterance whose moral weight will affect family and kingdom.
Kaikeyī, shaken, prepares to address Daśaratha directly in the escalating dispute over the boons and succession.
The verse emphasizes emotional vulnerability rather than virtue; it sets up how fear and dejection can precede decisive (and ethically charged) speech.
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