Shloka 2.74.2
भरतस्य कैकेयी-गर्हा तथा सुरभि-दृष्टान्तः (Bharata’s Reproach of Kaikeyi and the Surabhi Exemplum)
राज्याद्भ्रंशस्व कैकेयि नृशंसे दुष्टचारिणि।परित्यक्ता च धर्मेण मा मृतं रुदती भव।।।।
rājyād bhraṁśasva kaikeyi nṛśaṁse duṣṭacāriṇi | parityaktā ca dharmeṇa mā mṛtaṁ rudatī bhava ||
O Kaikeyi—cruel and of wicked conduct—may you fall from royal power. Cast off by righteousness itself, may you weep over me when I am dead.
O cruel Kaikeyi of wicked conduct, you may be deprived of the kingdom. Abandoned by righteousness, you shall be weeping for me after my death.
The verse frames adharma as self-punishing: when one violates righteousness, one becomes 'abandoned by dharma'—losing legitimacy, protection, and inner support, leading ultimately to remorse.
In the aftermath of Rama’s exile decision, Kaikeyi is reproached bitterly; the speaker foresees that her wrongful act will bring downfall and sorrow.
The implicit virtue is dharma as moral order and legitimacy: true authority depends on righteousness, and its loss results in disgrace and grief.