Shloka 2.78.4

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

Devanagari script

पूर्वमेव तु निग्राह्य स्समवेक्ष्य नयानयौ।उत्पथं यस्समारूढो राजा नार्या वशं गतः।।।।

Transliteration

śatrughnavikṣepavimūḍhasaṁjñāṁ samīkṣya kubjāṁ bharatasya mātā |

śanais samāśvāsayad ārtarūpāṁ krauñcīṁ vilagnām iva vīkṣamāṇām ||

Translation

Seeing the hunchback, her senses dazed from being flung about by Śatrughna—anguished and looking about like a female krauñca-bird trapped—Bharata’s mother (Kaikeyī) gently consoled her.

Context

In the first place, the king could have restrained himself by reflecting on whether the course of action adopted by him under the influence of a woman was just or unjust.

Characters & Entities

• Śatrughna
• Mantharā (kubjā)
• Bharata
• Kaikeyī (Bharata’s mother)
• krauñcī (female krauñca bird; simile)

FAQs

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

Dharma in social life includes calming harm and restoring order after violence; consolation and care are presented as immediate duties once aggression is halted.

What is the narrative situation?

Following Bharata’s intervention and Śatrughna’s release of Mantharā, Kaikeyī sees Mantharā shaken and comforts her.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Gentleness (mṛdutā) and protective composure: Kaikeyī’s act of soothing shows a caregiving response amid crisis, regardless of broader moral blame in the episode.