Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 10, Shloka 1
क्रोधागारप्रवेशः — Entry into the Chamber of Wrath
Kaikeyī’s Protest
विदर्शिता यदा देवी कुब्जया पापया भृशम्।तदा शेते स्म सा भूमौ दिग्धविद्धेव किन्नरी।।।।
vidarśitā yadā devī kubjayā pāpayā bhṛśam |
tadā śete sma sā bhūmau digdhaviddheva kinnarī ||
जब पापिनी कुब्जा ने रानी के मन को अत्यन्त विकृत कर दिया, तब वह विष-बाण से विद्ध किन्नरी के समान भूमि पर पड़ी रही।
Perversely advised by the extremely sinful hunchback the queen (Kaikeyi) lay down on the ground like a kinnari struck as though by a poisonous arrow.
FAQs
The verse warns that adharma can enter through corrupt counsel: when one abandons discernment, the mind becomes wounded like by poison, leading to actions against truth and righteousness.
Mantharā has begun to inflame Kaikeyī’s fears and jealousy regarding Rāma’s coronation; Kaikeyī reacts dramatically, collapsing onto the floor in distress.
By contrast (through negation), the needed virtue is viveka—discernment and steadiness—without which a person becomes vulnerable to manipulation.