Valmiki Ramayana 2.9.23: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 23
मन्थराप्रेरणा · वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
मास्मैनं प्रत्युदीक्षेथा मा चैनमभिभाषथाः ।
रुदन्ती चापि तं दृष्ट्वा जगत्यां शोकलालसा ॥२३॥
mā smainaṃ pratyudīkṣethā mā cainam abhibhāṣathāḥ |
rudantī cāpi taṃ dṛṣṭvā jagatyāṃ śokalālasā ||23||
उसकी तरफ देखना भी मत। उससे बात भी मत करना। जब तुम उसे देखो तो रोते रहो। ज़मीन पर पड़ी रहो, दुख में डूबी रहो।
Immersed in grief and in tears, neither look at him (Dasaratha) nor even talk to him when you see him.
FAQs
It highlights unethical communication: refusing dialogue and using staged suffering to control outcomes contradicts satya (truthfulness) and righteous conduct.
Mantharā instructs Kaikeyī to pressure Daśaratha through silence, tears, and refusal to engage.
The verse underscores (negatively) the need for honest speech and transparent intent in relationships.
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