Shloka 2.78.26

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

Devanagari script

शत्रुघ्नविक्षेपविमूढसंज्ञां समीक्ष्य कुब्जां भरतस्य माता।शनैस्समाश्वासयदार्तरूपां क्रौञ्चीं विलग्नामिव वीक्षमाणाम्।।।।

Transliteration

bharatasya vacaḥ śrutvā śatrughno lakṣmaṇānujaḥ |

nyavartata tato roṣāt tāṁ mumoca ca mantharām ||

Translation

Hearing Bharata’s words, Śatrughna—the younger brother of Lakṣmaṇa—checked his rage and released Mantharā.

Context

.Seeing the hunchback thrown down by Satrughna and lying senseless and anguishedlike a female krauncha bird caught in a net looking in different directions, Kaikeyi gently soothed her.इत्यार्षे श्रीमद्रामायणे वाल्मीकीय आदिकाव्ये अयोध्याकाण्डे अष्टसप्ततितमस्सर्गः।।Thus ends the seventyeighth sarga in Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.

Characters & Entities

• Bharata
• Śatrughna
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Mantharā

FAQs

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

Listening to righteous counsel and mastering anger is itself dharma; restraint prevents compounding one wrong with another.

What is the narrative situation?

Bharata intervenes, and Śatrughna—though furious—halts and lets Mantharā go.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Śatrughna’s capacity for self-restraint: despite intense anger, he submits to dharmic guidance.