Shloka 2.8.36
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः — Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī (Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm)
अभिद्रुतमिवारण्ये सिंहेन गजयूथपम्।प्रच्छाद्यमानं रामेण भरतं त्रातुमर्हसि।।2.8.36।।
bharatād eva rāmasya rājyasādhāraṇād bhayam |
tad vicintya viṣaṇṇā’smi bhayaṃ bhītād dhi jāyate || 2.8.5 ||
Fear for Rāma arises from Bharata alone, since the claim to the kingdom is shared. Thinking on this, I am distressed—for danger is born from one who is afraid.
Like the leader of an elephant-herd attacked by a lion in the forest, Bharata is going to be oppressed by Rama. You should save him.
It cautions that fear-driven politics breeds harm. Dharmically, governance and family order should be guided by fairness and truth, not insecurity and rivalry.
Mantharā argues that Bharata’s proximity in succession makes Rāma wary, and that fear can trigger preemptive actions.
The implied virtue is courage and steadiness (dhairya). Fear is presented as a seed of conflict rather than a basis for righteous decision.