Valmiki Ramayana 2.8.35: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 35
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः · Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī
Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm
स ते सुखोचितो बालो रामस्य सहजो रिपुः ।
समृद्धार्थस्य नष्टार्थो जीविष्यति कथं वशे ॥३५॥
sa te sukhocito bālo rāmasya sahajo ripuḥ |
samṛddhārthasya naṣṭārtho jīviṣyati kathaṃ vaśe ||35||
ذلك الغلام—بهاراتا ابنك—المعتاد على النعيم، هو بطبعه مُنافسٌ لراما. فإذا سُلِبَ كلَّ أسباب العيش، فكيف يحيا تحت سلطان راما المزدهر؟
Your son, that young Bharata, is accustomed to comforts. He is a born enemy of Rama. How will he, deprived of all wealth, live under the control of Rama?
FAQs
It implicitly warns that attachment to comfort and status makes one vulnerable; dharma calls for restraint and truthfulness, whereas this counsel pushes suspicion and hostility.
Mantharā tries to convince Kaikeyī that Bharata cannot endure subordination if Rāma rules, thereby urging Kaikeyī to intervene.
By contrast (negatively), it highlights the need for equanimity and humility; the verse assumes Bharata’s dependence on luxury as a weakness.
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