Shloka 2.73.8

भरतस्य कैकेय्याः प्रति धिक्कारः — Bharata’s Rebuke of Kaikeyi and Affirmation of Ikshvaku Royal Dharma

Devanagari script

कौसल्या च सुमित्रा च पुत्रशोकाभिपीडिते।दुष्करं यदि जीवेतां प्राप्य त्वां जननीं मम।।।।

Transliteration

kausalyā ca sumitrā ca putraśokābhipīḍite |

duṣkaraṃ yadi jīvetāṃ prāpya tvāṃ jananīṃ mama ||

Translation

Kausalya and Sumitra, crushed by grief for their sons, can scarcely be expected to live on, having you—my own mother—set over them.

Context

Tormented by the grief of separation from their sons, it is difficult for Kausalya and Sumitra to survive under you, O my mother.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Kaikeyi
• Kausalya
• Sumitra

FAQs

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

Dharma includes care for co-wives and elders within the household; Bharata points to the ethical collapse where the vulnerable (grieving queens) are placed under the authority of the very cause of their suffering.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata highlights the plight of Kausalya and Sumitra after Rama and Lakshmana’s departure, implying Kaikeyi’s presence makes their survival emotionally unbearable.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Empathy—Bharata’s anger is paired with concern for the suffering of the other queens.