Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 36
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः — Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī
Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm
अभिद्रुतमिवारण्ये सिंहेन गजयूथपम्।प्रच्छाद्यमानं रामेण भरतं त्रातुमर्हसि।।2.8.36।।
abhidrutam ivāraṇye siṃhena gajayūthapam |
pracchādyamānaṃ rāmeṇa bharataṃ trātum arhasi || 2.8.36 ||
As an elephant-herd leader is assailed by a lion in the forest, so Bharata will be overpowered by Rāma; it is right for you to save him.
Since Bharata and Rama have equal claim to the kingdom, Bharata is a source of fear for Rama. Having thought over this matter, I am dejected. Danger springs from one who is in fear.
FAQs
It appeals to a mother’s protective duty, but redirects it toward unjust rivalry. Dharma would protect children without violating truth and fairness toward others.
Mantharā uses a vivid animal simile to intensify Kaikeyī’s fear that Rāma will dominate Bharata.
Protectiveness is invoked as a virtue, though the verse shows how that impulse can be manipulated into adharma when paired with suspicion.