Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 74, Shloka 2
भरतस्य कैकेयी-गर्हा तथा सुरभि-दृष्टान्तः
Bharata’s Reproach of Kaikeyi and the Surabhi Exemplum
राज्याद्भ्रंशस्व कैकेयि नृशंसे दुष्टचारिणि।परित्यक्ता च धर्मेण मा मृतं रुदती भव।।।।
rājyād bhraṁśasva kaikeyi nṛśaṁse duṣṭacāriṇi | parityaktā ca dharmeṇa mā mṛtaṁ rudatī bhava ||
O Kaikeyi—cruel and of wicked conduct—may you fall from royal power. Cast off by righteousness itself, may you weep over me when I am dead.
O cruel Kaikeyi of wicked conduct, you may be deprived of the kingdom. Abandoned by righteousness, you shall be weeping for me after my death.
FAQs
The verse frames adharma as self-punishing: when one violates righteousness, one becomes 'abandoned by dharma'—losing legitimacy, protection, and inner support, leading ultimately to remorse.
In the aftermath of Rama’s exile decision, Kaikeyi is reproached bitterly; the speaker foresees that her wrongful act will bring downfall and sorrow.
The implicit virtue is dharma as moral order and legitimacy: true authority depends on righteousness, and its loss results in disgrace and grief.