Shloka 2.7.20

मन्थराप्रवेशः — Manthara Observes Ayodhya and Incites Kaikeyi

Devanagari script

अक्षय्यं सुमहद्देवि प्रवृत्तं त्वद्विनाशनम्।रामं दशरथो राजा यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति।।।।

Transliteration

akṣayyaṃ sumahad devi pravṛttaṃ tvadvināśanam | rāmaṃ daśaratho rājā yauvarājye 'bhiṣekṣyati ||

Translation

O queen, an immense and unending ruin for you has now been set in motion: King Daśaratha is about to consecrate Rāma as heir-apparent.

Context

O queen!, your end is approaching, and it has no end and it is overwhelming. King Dasaratha is crowning Rama as heir-apparent.

Characters & Entities

• Mantharā
• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha
• Rāma
• Yauvarājya (heir-apparency)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It highlights the tension between rājadharma (a king’s duty to establish rightful succession) and personal desire; the verse itself is framed as alarm, but the dharmic backdrop is the legitimacy of Rāma’s consecration.

What is the narrative situation?

Mantharā informs Kaikeyī that Daśaratha is about to anoint Rāma as heir-apparent, presenting it as a dire threat to Kaikeyī.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Indirectly, Daśaratha’s commitment to royal procedure is implied; however, Mantharā’s speech foregrounds fear-mongering rather than virtue.