Shloka 2.78.9
अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः — Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint (Mantharā Episode)
यस्याः कृते वने रामो न्यस्तदेहश्च वः पिता।सेयं पापा नृशंसा च तस्याः कुरु यथामति।।।।
yasyāḥ kṛte vane rāmo nyastadehaś ca vaḥ pitā |
seyaṃ pāpā nṛśaṃsā ca tasyāḥ kuru yathāmati ||
“Because of her, Rama is in the forest, and your father has laid down his body. This is that sinful, cruel woman—do with her as you think fit.”
Here is that sinful, cruel woman on whose account Rama is in the forest and your father has forsaken his body. Do with her as it pleases you.
It raises the dharmic tension between righteous justice and uncontrolled vengeance: wrongs are acknowledged, but dharma ultimately requires measured response under authority, not rage.
The guards present Mantharā to Śatrughna and accuse her of causing Rāma’s exile and Daśaratha’s death, urging Śatrughna to decide her fate.
Responsibility in judgment: Śatrughna is positioned as one who must choose restraint and lawful action over impulsive punishment.