Shloka 2.14.67
सत्यपाशः — Kaikeyi’s Demand and the Noose of the King’s Promise
सागरह्रदसङ्काशात्सुमन्त्रोऽन्तःपुराच्छुभात्।।।।निष्क्रम्य जनसम्बाधं ददर्श द्वारमग्रतः।
sāgarahradasaṅkāśāt sumantro ’ntaḥpurāc chubhāt | niṣkramya janasambādhaṃ dadarśa dvāram agrataḥ ||
Sumantra, emerging from the auspicious inner palace—like a deep pool of the ocean—came out and beheld before him the gate thronged with people.
Sumantra, departed from the auspcious inner apartment which looked like the deep waters of the sea and saw people thronging the gate.
The verse situates dharma in public order: the palace and its gates are spaces where private royal decisions meet public expectation—implying that righteous kingship is accountable to society.
Sumantra exits the inner quarters and notices the palace gate crowded with people.
Attentiveness and readiness in service—Sumantra moves efficiently through the palace environment to fulfill his task.