Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 12, Shloka 54
द्वादशः सर्गः — Kaikeyi’s Boons and Dasaratha’s Moral Collapse
Ayodhya Kanda 12
स देव्या व्यवसायं च घोरं च शपथं कृतम्।ध्यात्वा रामेति निश्श्वस्य छिन्न स्तरुरिवापतत्।।।।
sa devyā vyavasāyaṃ ca ghoraṃ ca śapathaṃ kṛtam |
dhyātvā rāmēti niśśvasya chinnaḥ tarur ivāpatat ||
他沉思王后那可怖的决意与所立的骇人誓言，长叹一声“罗摩！”便如被斧断之树般倒下。
The unhappy king intently fixed his gaze at his beloved queen speaking unpleasant words charged with grief and anguish, unpleasant to the heart like the dreadful thunderbolt.
FAQs
The verse shows how unwavering resolve (vyavasāya) and oath-making must be governed by dharma; otherwise, their force becomes destructive, crushing the vulnerable and destabilizing righteous order.
Daśaratha realizes Kaikeyī will not relent; overwhelmed, he cries out Rama’s name and collapses.
Daśaratha’s deep paternal love and moral anguish; Rama’s name arises spontaneously as the center of his duty and affection.