Shloka 2.78.25
अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः — Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint (Mantharā Episode)
सा पादमूले कैकेय्या मन्थरा निपपात ह।निश्श्वसन्ती सुदुःखार्ता कृपणं विललाप च।।।।
imām api hatāṁ kubjāṁ yadi jānāti rāghavaḥ |
tvāṁ ca māṁ ca hi dharmātmā nābhibhāṣiṣyate dhruvam ||
If Rāghava learns that even this hunchback has been killed, that righteous man will surely not speak to you or to me.
Manthara, tormented with grief, fell at the feet of Kaikeyi and began heaving deep sighs.
Dharma includes responsibility for one’s actions: violence brings not only sin but also loss of fellowship with the righteous; moral community is preserved through restraint.
Śatrughna warns that killing Mantharā would alienate them from Rāma, whose ethical standards are uncompromising.
Rāma’s integrity: he would refuse association with those who commit wrongful killing, even if provoked.