Shloka 2.7.9

मन्थराप्रवेशः — Manthara Observes Ayodhya and Incites Kaikeyi

Devanagari script

अतिमात्रप्रहर्षोऽयं किं जनस्य च शंस मे।कारयिष्यति किं वापि सम्प्रहृष्टो महीपतिः।।।।

Transliteration

atimātrapraharṣo 'yaṃ kiṃ janasya ca śaṃsa me |

kārayiṣyati kiṃ vāpi samprahṛṣṭo mahīpatiḥ || 2.7.9 ||

Translation

Why is there such excessive rejoicing among the people? Tell me—what does the delighted king intend to have done?

Context

Why do the people look exceedingly happy? Tell me, what the king with great delight is proposing to do?

Characters & Entities

• Mantharā
• mahīpati (King Daśaratha, by context)
• janāḥ (people)

FAQs

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

The verse points to the dharmic link between king and people: public joy often reflects a righteous royal decision; it also cautions that one should seek truth (satya) through reliable explanation.

What is the narrative situation?

Mantharā presses the attendant for the reason behind the extraordinary happiness in Ayodhyā and asks what the king is planning.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

From the narrative lens, it highlights the importance of truth-seeking (satya-anveṣaṇa) through direct questioning, even though Mantharā’s motives may be self-serving.