Shloka 2.7.23

मन्थराप्रवेशः — Manthara Observes Ayodhya and Incites Kaikeyi

Devanagari script

नराधिपकुले जाता महिषी त्वं महीपतेः।उग्रत्वं राजधर्माणां कथं देवि न बुध्यसे।।।।

Transliteration

narādhipakule jātā mahiṣī tvaṃ mahīpateḥ | ugratvaṃ rājadharmāṇāṃ kathaṃ devi na budhyase ||

Translation

O queen—born in a royal line and the king’s chief consort—how do you not understand the harshness that can attend the duties and politics of kingship?

Context

O queen, born in the royal family and being a king's consort why don't you realise the ruthless ways of statecraft?

Characters & Entities

• Mantharā
• Kaikeyī
• Rājadharma (royal duty/statecraft)

FAQs

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

It references rājadharma: governance often involves hard decisions; dharmically, such harshness must still be guided by justice and truth, not factional gain.

What is the narrative situation?

Mantharā rebukes Kaikeyī for naivety and frames succession as ruthless political terrain.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Practical wisdom (nīti-jñāna) is urged—though Mantharā’s use of it is meant to provoke fear and action.