Shloka 2.78.8

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

Devanagari script

तां समीक्ष्य तदा द्वास्स्थास्सुभृशं पापकारिणीम्।गृहीत्वाऽकरुणां कुब्जां शत्रुघ्नाय न्यवेदयन्।।।।

Transliteration

tāṃ samīkṣya tadā dvāḥsthāḥ subhṛśaṃ pāpakāriṇīm |

gṛhītvā 'karuṇāṃ kubjāṃ śatrughnāya nyavedayan ||

Translation

Seeing her then, the gatekeepers—regarding the hunchback as a grievous wrongdoer, pitiless in nature—seized her and reported the matter to Shatrughna.

Context

Seeing the hunchback, doer of many sinful deeds, the gatekeepers caught hold of her and informed Satrughna.

Characters & Entities

• Gatekeepers (dvāḥsthāḥ)
• Mantharā (kubjā)
• Śatrughna

FAQs

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

Dharma here appears as protective social order: wrongdoing invites restraint and reporting to rightful authority rather than private chaos.

What is the narrative situation?

The palace guards recognize Mantharā and detain her, then notify Śatrughna.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Duty (kartavya) of guardians: they act to protect the household by preventing a feared instigator from moving freely.