Valmiki Ramayana 2.8.5: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 5
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः · Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī
Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm
भरतादेव रामस्य राज्यसाधारणाद्भयम् ।
तद्विचिन्त्य विषण्णाऽस्मि भयं भीताऽद्धि जायते ॥५॥
bharatād eva rāmasya rājyasādhāraṇād bhayam |
tad vicintya viṣaṇṇā’smi bhayaṃ bhītād dhi jāyate ||5||
Hanya dari Bharata timbul ketakutan bagi Rāma, sebab hak atas kerajaan itu terbagi. Memikirkan hal itu aku gundah; karena bahaya lahir dari orang yang diliputi takut.
Since Bharata and Rama have equal claim to the kingdom, Bharata is a source of fear for Rama. Having thought over this matter, I am dejected. Danger springs from one who is in fear.
FAQs
It cautions that fear-driven politics breeds harm. Dharmically, governance and family order should be guided by fairness and truth, not insecurity and rivalry.
Mantharā argues that Bharata’s proximity in succession makes Rāma wary, and that fear can trigger preemptive actions.
The implied virtue is courage and steadiness (dhairya). Fear is presented as a seed of conflict rather than a basis for righteous decision.
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