Shloka 2.20.43
अयोध्याकाण्डे विंशः सर्गः — Rama Enters Kauśalyā’s Antaḥpura; Ritual Preparations and the Shock of Exile
योऽहि मां सेवते कश्चिदथवाप्यनुवर्तते।कैकेय्याः पुत्रमन्वीक्ष्य स्वश्चि जनो नाभिभाषते।।।।
yo hi māṃ sevate kaścid athavāpy anuvartate | kaikeyyāḥ putram anvīkṣya svaś ca jano nābhibhāṣate ||
Whoever serves me or even follows my side—after seeing Kaikeyī’s son, even my own people do not speak to me.
Any one who serves me or follows me will not talk to me after seeing Bharata (installed as heir-apparent).
It warns against fear-driven opportunism: abandoning respectful relations due to shifting power is portrayed as a moral failure, contrasting with the Ramayana ideal of steadfast loyalty and truthful conduct.
With Bharata’s rise associated with Kaikeyī’s dominance, courtiers and attendants distance themselves from Kausalyā to avoid political risk.
By contrast, Rāma’s constancy is implied: he is the figure to whom Kausalyā can still speak openly, even as others fall silent out of self-interest.