Shloka 2.8.31

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

Devanagari script

गोप्ता हि रामं सौमित्रिर्लक्ष्मणं चापि राघवः।अश्विनोरिव सौभ्रात्रं तयोर्लोकेषु विश्रुतम्।।2.8.31।।

Transliteration

goptā hi rāmaṃ saumitrir lakṣmaṇaṃ cāpi rāghavaḥ |

aśvinor iva saubhrātraṃ tayor lokeṣu viśrutam ||2.8.31||

Translation

Lakṣmaṇa, son of Sumitrā, is indeed Rāma’s protector, and Rāma, the Rāghava, protects Lakṣmaṇa as well. Their brotherhood is famed in the worlds like that of the Aśvins.

Context

Just as Lakshmana protects Rama, Rama protects Lakshmana. Their brotherhood is renowned in the world like that of the Ashwins.

Characters & Entities

• Rāma
• Lakṣmaṇa
• Saumitrī
• Rāghava
• Aśvins

FAQs

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

It praises reciprocal duty (paraspara-rakṣaṇa) within family: true brotherhood expresses itself as mutual protection—an important dharmic ideal in the epic.

What is the narrative situation?

Mantharā points to the famous unity of Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa to argue that Rāma’s side is strongly consolidated, thereby heightening Kaikeyī’s anxiety about Bharata.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Fraternal devotion and steadfast guardianship—mutual loyalty that is publicly celebrated (lokeṣu viśrutam).