Shloka 2.35.8
सुमन्त्रस्य कैकेयी-निन्दा (Sumantra’s Reproof of Kaikeyi in the Royal Assembly)
मावमंस्था दशरथं भर्तारं वरदं पतिम्। भर्तुरिच्छा हि नारीणां पुत्रकोट्या विशिष्यते।।2.35.8।।
māvamaṃsthā daśarathaṃ bhartāraṃ varadaṃ patim | bhartur icchā hi nārīṇāṃ putrakoṭyā viśiṣyate || 2.35.8 ||
Do not slight Daśaratha—your husband, your protector, the bestower of boons; for to a woman, her husband’s wish is held dearer than ten million sons.
Do not have contempt for Dasaratha who is your husband, nourisher and bestower of boons. For a wife, the desire of her husband is considered worthier than tenmillion sons.
It presents a traditional marital ethic: honoring the spouse and prioritizing the husband’s rightful intention, framing conjugal duty as a central dharma.
Kaikeyī recalls counsel given to her about how a queen should relate to her husband, Daśaratha, especially regarding respect and compliance.
Respectful conduct (maryādā) within marriage—restraint from contempt and commitment to relational duty.