Valmiki Ramayana 2.35.16: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 35, Shloka 16
सुमन्त्रस्य कैकेयी-निन्दा
Sumantra’s Reproof of Kaikeyi in the Royal Assembly
आम्रं छित्वा कुठारेण निम्बं परिचरेत्तु यः।
यश्चैनं पयसा सिञ्चेन्नैवास्य मधुरो भवेत्।।2.35.16।।
āmraṃ chitvā kuṭhāreṇa nimbaṃ paricarettu yaḥ |
yaś cainaṃ payasā siñcet naivāsya madhuro bhavet ||2.35.16||
Bila seseorang menebang pohon mangga dengan kapak lalu merawat pohon nimba sebagai gantinya—meski disirami susu—ia takkan pernah menjadi manis.
Your nature corresponds to your mother's, so I think. 'Honey will not flow from a nimba tree' is a well-known saying in this world.
FAQs
Outer acts cannot transform inner nature without genuine moral reform; dharma is rooted in character (svabhāva), not in superficial displays or pampering.
Sumantra uses a sharp proverb to argue that Kaikeyi’s conduct reveals an ingrained disposition that cannot be ‘sweetened’ by external measures.
Discernment (viveka): Sumantra distinguishes between appearance and inherent moral quality.
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