Shloka 2.75.10

अयोध्याकाण्डे पञ्चसप्ततितमः सर्गः (Sarga 75: Bharata and Kausalya—Reproach, Oaths, and Reconciliation)

Devanagari script

भरतं प्रत्युवाचेदं कौसल्या भृशदुःखिता।।।।इदं ते राज्यकामस्य राज्यं प्राप्तमकण्टकम्।संप्राप्तं बत कैकेय्या शशीघ्रं क्रूरेण कर्मणा।।।।

Transliteration

bharataṃ pratyuvācedaṃ kausalyā bhṛśaduḥkhitā ||

idaṃ te rājyakāmasya rājyaṃ prāptam akaṇṭakam |

saṃprāptaṃ bata kaikeyyā śaśīghraṃ krūreṇa karmaṇā ||

Translation

Deeply afflicted, Kauśalyā said to Bharata: “Here is the kingdom you desired—won without obstacle. Alas, Kaikeyī has quickly secured it for you by a cruel deed.”

Context

Looking at Bharata, the deeply afflicted Kausalya said, The kingdom which you had desired has been acquired without any obstacle. Alas! Kaikeyi had quickly secured it for you through her crooked act.

Characters & Entities

• Kauśalyā
• Bharata
• Kaikeyī
• Rājya (kingdom)

FAQs

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

Rule gained through cruelty and manipulation lacks dharmic legitimacy; dharma demands rightful succession and moral means, not merely successful acquisition.

What is the narrative situation?

Kauśalyā, grieving, addresses Bharata with bitter irony, implying the kingdom has come to him through Kaikeyī’s wrongful act.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Kauśalyā’s devotion to dharma and justice: she measures kingship by righteousness, not by power.