Shloka 2.8.12

मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः — Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī (Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm)

Devanagari script

हृष्टाः खलु भविष्यन्ति रामस्य परमास्स्त्रियः।अप्रहृष्टा भविष्यन्ति स्नुषास्ते भरतक्षये।।2.8.12।।

Transliteration

hṛṣṭāḥ khalu bhaviṣyanti rāmasya paramāḥ striyaḥ | aprahṛṣṭā bhaviṣyanti snuṣās te bharata-kṣaye || 2.8.12 ||

Translation

Surely all the women on Rama’s side will rejoice; but with Bharata’s decline, your daughters-in-law will be left without joy.

Context

All the women of Rama's (palace) will be delighted indeed. With the decline of Bharata, your daughters-in-law will be deprived of all happiness.

Characters & Entities

• Manthara
• Kaikeyi
• Rama
• Bharata
• women of the palace
• daughters-in-law (snuṣāḥ)

FAQs

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

It shows how dharma can be obscured by factional thinking—measuring justice by ‘our side vs their side’ rather than by rightful conduct.

What is the narrative situation?

Mantharā tries to stir Kaikeyi by predicting social humiliation and sorrow for Bharata’s household if Rama is enthroned.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Impartiality and truthfulness—seeing beyond partisan emotion to what is right.