Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 2
इति तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा तेषां मनःप्रियं। अजानन्निव जिज्ञासुरिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
iti tadvacanaṃ śrutvā rājā teṣāṃ manaḥpriyaṃ| ajānanniva jijñāsuridaṃ vacanamabravīt
Having heard them king Dasaratha, pretending as though he was not aware of their heart's desire but was now wishing to ascertain it, spoke these words:
— M.N. Dutt (1891)
Commentary
Dasharatha pretends not to have known their heart's desire, even though he clearly did. The feigned surprise is a diplomatic grace — it allows the assembly to feel that they have persuaded the king, rather than merely ratifying his decision. Wise leadership lets others share the credit.
हृदयछद्मन्