Shloka 2.9.34
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च (Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons)
येन कालेन रामश्च वनात्प्रत्यागमिष्यति।तेन कालेन पुत्रस्ते कृतमूलो भविष्यति।।।।सुगृहीतमनुष्यश्च सुहृद्भिस्सार्धमात्मवान्।
yena kālena rāmaś ca vanāt pratyāgamiṣyati | tena kālena putras te kṛtamūlo bhaviṣyati || sugṛhītamanuṣyaś ca suhṛdbhiḥ sārdham ātmavān |
By the time Rāma returns from the forest, by that very time your son will be firmly rooted—self-possessed, supported by loyal friends, and having secured the people’s allegiance.
By the time Rama returns from the forest, your son (now) confident, would have become deep rooted by gaining the company of friends and the acceptability of the people.
It highlights how legitimacy can be manufactured through networks and public favor; dharma, however, grounds legitimacy in righteousness, not merely in entrenched support.
Mantharā reassures Kaikeyī that time will cement Bharata’s rule so thoroughly that Rāma’s return will not restore his rightful claim.
A ruler’s need for allies and public trust is implied, but here it is framed as a tactic of exclusion rather than service-oriented kingship.