Shloka 8
भरतस्य कैकेय्याः प्रति धिक्कारः
Bharata’s Rebuke of Kaikeyi and Affirmation of Ikshvaku Royal Dharma
कौसल्या च सुमित्रा च पुत्रशोकाभिपीडिते।दुष्करं यदि जीवेतां प्राप्य त्वां जननीं मम।।।।
kausalyā ca sumitrā ca putraśokābhipīḍite |
duṣkaraṃ yadi jīvetāṃ prāpya tvāṃ jananīṃ mama ||
كوساليا وسوميترا، وقد سحقهما حزنُ الابنين، عسيرٌ أن تطيقا البقاء، إذ جُعِلتِ أنتِ—وهي أمي—فوقهما.
Tormented by the grief of separation from their sons, it is difficult for Kausalya and Sumitra to survive under you, O my mother.
FAQs
Dharma includes care for co-wives and elders within the household; Bharata points to the ethical collapse where the vulnerable (grieving queens) are placed under the authority of the very cause of their suffering.
Bharata highlights the plight of Kausalya and Sumitra after Rama and Lakshmana’s departure, implying Kaikeyi’s presence makes their survival emotionally unbearable.
Empathy—Bharata’s anger is paired with concern for the suffering of the other queens.