Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 36, Shloka 18
अयोध्याकाण्डे षट्त्रिंशः सर्गः
Daśaratha’s orders for Rama’s escort; Kaikeyi’s fear; the Asamañjasa precedent
तत्र वृद्धो महामात्रस्सिद्धार्थो नाम नामतः।शुचिर्बहुमतो राज्ञः कैकेयी मिदमब्रवीत्।।।।
tatra vṛddho mahāmātraḥ siddhārtho nāma nāmataḥ | śucir bahumato rājñaḥ kaikeyīm idam abravīt ||2.36.18||
There an aged high minister—Siddhārtha by name, pure in conduct and greatly esteemed by the king—spoke these words to Kaikeyī.
An aged minister named Siddhartha who justified his name, highly respected by the king said this to Kaikeyi:
FAQs
The verse foregrounds the dharmic role of a pure and respected minister: righteous counsel should come from integrity (śuci) and public trust, especially in matters affecting the royal household and the realm.
The text introduces an elderly high minister named Siddhārtha, setting the scene for his address to Queen Kaikeyī within the unfolding Ayodhyā court crisis.
Ministerial integrity and credibility—purity of conduct (śuci) and being esteemed for sound judgment—are emphasized as prerequisites for advising in state and family ethics.