अष्टादशः सर्गः
Kaikeyī Discloses the Boons: Exile to Daṇḍaka and Bharata’s Consecration
यदि तद्वक्ष्यते राजा शुभं वा यदि वाऽशुभम्।करिष्यसि ततस्सर्वमाख्यास्यामि पुनस्त्वहम्।।।।
yadi tad vakṣyate rājā śubhaṃ vā yadi vāśubham | kariṣyasi tatas sarvam ākhyāsyāmi punas tv aham ||
اگر تم بادشاہ جو کچھ فرمائے—خواہ خوشگوار ہو یا ناگوار—سب کچھ بجا لاؤ، تو اس کے بعد میں تمہیں پھر سب کچھ بتا دوں گا۔
If you fulfil whatever the king says, pleasant or unpleasant, I shall relate to you everything.
Dharma is framed as unconditional compliance with the king’s word; however, the verse also raises ethical tension about informed consent—Kaikeyī withholds full disclosure until compliance is promised.
Kaikeyī conditions her full explanation on Rāma’s prior commitment to carry out whatever Daśaratha says.
Rāma’s obedience and integrity are being tested—whether he will commit to duty before knowing its cost.
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