Shloka 2.35.15
सुमन्त्रस्य कैकेयी-निन्दा (Sumantra’s Reproof of Kaikeyi in the Royal Assembly)
महाब्रह्मर्षिसृष्टाः वा ज्वलन्तो भीमदर्शनाः।धिग्वाग्दण्डा न हिंसन्ति रामप्रव्राजने स्थिताम्।।2.35.15।।
locane kopasaṃrakte varṇaṃ pūrvocitaṃ jahat | kopābhibhūtaḥ sahasā santāpam aśubhaṃ gataḥ ||2.35.2||
His eyes, reddened with anger, lost their natural look; overcome by fury, he suddenly fell into a grim and inauspicious anguish.
It is a wonder that while bent upon banishing Rama, you are not destroyed by frightening fire created by great brahmarsis, crying, 'Shame, shame!'
The verse highlights how adharma in the royal household provokes righteous indignation, yet also warns that anger (krodha) can overwhelm judgment; dharma requires moral clarity without being consumed by destructive emotion.
Sumantra, Dasaratha’s charioteer, reacts intensely upon hearing Kaikeyi’s resolve to send Rama into exile, and the narration describes his visible transformation under anger and grief.
Sumantra’s loyalty and moral courage: he cannot remain silent when he perceives a grave injustice against Rama and the king.