Shloka 2.74.12

भरतस्य कैकेयी-गर्हा तथा सुरभि-दृष्टान्तः (Bharata’s Reproach of Kaikeyi and the Surabhi Exemplum)

Devanagari script

कौसल्यां धर्मसंयुक्तां वियुक्तां पापनिश्चये।कृत्वा कं प्राप्स्यसे त्वद्य लोकं निरयगामिनि।।।।

Transliteration

kausalyāṃ dharmasaṃyuktāṃ viyuktāṃ pāpaniścaye | kṛtvā kaṃ prāpsyase tv adya lokaṃ nirayagāmini ||

Translation

O woman fixed in sin, bound for hell—having separated righteous Kausalyā (from her son), what world do you think you will attain hereafter?

Context

O woman of sinful convictions! you will go to hell. You have separated righteous Kausalya from her son. For having committed such a sin, what afterworld awaits you (is not known)?

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Kaikeyi
• Kausalyā
• Rama
• Niraya (hell)

FAQs

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

The verse asserts moral causality: harming the righteous and disrupting rightful bonds invites grave karmic consequence.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata condemns Kaikeyi for causing Kausalyā’s suffering through Rama’s exile.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Protectiveness toward the virtuous (Kausalyā) and insistence that actions must align with dharma.