Shloka 2.8.7
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः — Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī (Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm)
प्रत्यासन्नक्रमेणापि भरतस्यैव भामिनि।राज्यक्रमो विप्रकृष्टस्तयोस्तावत्कनीयसोः।।2.8.7।।
yadā hi rāmaḥ pṛthivīm avāpsyati
prabhūtaratnākaraśailapattanām |
tadā gamiṣyasy aśubhaṃ parābhavaṃ
sahaiva dīnā bharatena bhāmini || 2.8.38 ||
O fair lady, when Rāma gains this earth—rich with oceans, mountains, and cities—then you, together with Bharata, will fall into misfortune, misery, and disgrace.
O beautiful lady! in order of birth, too, Bharata's right to the throne is just next (to Rama's). While being younger, the chances of the other two (Lakshmana and Satrughna) are remote.
It contrasts worldly power with personal security; dharma teaches that status is unstable and should not be pursued through injustice. The verse is used to inflame anxiety rather than uphold satya.
Mantharā predicts Kaikeyī’s disgrace if Rāma becomes king, attempting to push Kaikeyī toward drastic action.
The verse indirectly foregrounds the need for truth-oriented counsel; it shows how prophecy-like rhetoric can be used to manipulate decisions.