Valmiki Ramayana 2.8.36: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 36
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः · Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī
Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm
अभिद्रुतमिवारण्ये सिंहेन गजयूथपम् ।
प्रच्छाद्यमानं रामेण भरतं त्रातुमर्हसि ॥३६॥
abhidrutam ivāraṇye siṃhena gajayūthapam |
pracchādyamānaṃ rāmeṇa bharataṃ trātum arhasi ||36||
Wie im Wald der Anführer einer Elefantenherde von einem Löwen angegriffen wird, so wird Bharata von Rāma überwältigt werden; es ziemt dir, ihn zu retten.
Like the leader of an elephant-herd attacked by a lion in the forest, Bharata is going to be oppressed by Rama. You should save him.
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.
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