Shloka 2.8.22

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

Devanagari script

भविता राघवो राजा राघवस्यानु यस्सुतः।राजवंशात्तु कैकेयि भरतःपरिहास्यते।।2.8.22।।

Transliteration

bhavitā rāghavo rājā rāghavasyānu yas sutaḥ | rājavaṃśāt tu kaikeyi bharataḥ parihāsyate || 2.8.22 ||

Translation

Rāghava will become king, and after Rāghava his own son will succeed; but, O Kaikeyī, Bharata will be thrust out of the royal line and made a byword.

Context

Rama, the scion of the Raghus, will become king. After Rama, his son will suceed him. O Kaikeyi, as for Bharata, he will be debarred from royal succession (altogether).

Characters & Entities

• Rāma (Rāghava)
• Bharata
• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

It highlights how adharma can be seeded by fear of status-loss; dharma calls for truth-based counsel, not incitement that fractures family and social order.

What is the narrative situation?

Mantharā paints a dire future: Rāma’s reign followed by his son, leaving Bharata marginalized—meant to provoke Kaikeyī into intervention.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The implied virtue is loyalty to truth and justice in counsel; Mantharā instead exemplifies the vice of alarmist persuasion.