Shloka 2.78.23

अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः — Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint (Mantharā Episode)

Devanagari script

इमामपि हतां कुब्जां यदि जानाति राघवः।त्वां च मां च हि धर्मात्मा नाभिभाषिष्यते ध्रुवम्।।।।

Transliteration

taṁ prekṣya bharataḥ kruddhaṁ śatrughnam idam abravīt |

avadhyāḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ pramadāḥ kṣamyatām iti ||

Translation

Seeing Śatrughna enraged, Bharata said to him: “Women are not to be slain—among all beings. Let her be forgiven.”

Context

If righteous Rama comes to know that this hunchback has been slain by us, he will certainly never talk to you or me.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Śatrughna
• women (generic category; contextually Kaikeyī/Mantharā)

FAQs

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

Dharma here is restraint and non-lethal conduct: even in righteous anger, one must not cross into adharma by violence against protected persons; forgiveness is urged.

What is the narrative situation?

Śatrughna is furious and poised for violence; Bharata intervenes to stop him and insists on pardon.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Bharata’s kṣamā (forbearance) and nīti (wise governance of emotion), prioritizing moral limits over vengeance.