Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 24
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः — Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī
Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm
तस्माज्ज्येष्ठे हि कैकेयि राज्यतन्त्राणि पार्थिवाः।स्थापयन्त्यनवद्याङ्गि गुणवत्स्वितरेष्वपि।।2.8.24।।
tasmāj jyeṣṭhe hi kaikeyi rājyatantrāṇi pārthivāḥ | sthāpayanty anavadyāṅgi guṇavatsv itareṣv api || 2.8.24 ||
इसलिए हे कैकेयी—हे निर्दोषाङ्गि—राजा लोग राज्य-तन्त्र का भार प्रायः ज्येष्ठ पुत्र को सौंपते हैं; अथवा गुणवान् अन्य पुत्र को भी स्थापित करते हैं॥
O Kaikeyi of beautiful limbs, for that reason kings bestow the governance of the kingdom either on the eldest or on other virtuous sons.
FAQs
It gestures to rājadharma: rulers should ensure competent, legitimate governance by entrusting rule to the rightful/qualified heir—yet the ethical test is whether this principle is applied truthfully and without malice.
Mantharā presents a generalized political rule about succession to make Kaikeyī believe Bharata’s interests must be secured immediately.
The invoked virtue is governance by merit and legitimacy; the scene contrasts that ideal with the brewing intent to subvert rightful succession.