Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 8
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः — Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī
Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm
विदुषः क्षत्रचारित्रे प्राज्ञस्य प्राप्तकारिणः।भयात्प्रवेपे रामस्य चिन्तयन्ती तवात्मजम्।।2.8.8।।
viduṣaḥ kṣatracāritre prājñasya prāptakāriṇaḥ |
bhayāt pravepe rāmasya cintayantī tavātmajam || 2.8.8 ||
Rāma memahami tata laku dharma kṣatriya, bijaksana, dan bertindak pada saat yang tepat. Memikirkan putramu, aku gemetar karena takut kepadanya.
When Rama obtains this earth, Bharata will be certainly ruined. Therefore, right now think of the kingdom for your son and the means of banishment for your enemy, Rama.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē aṣṭamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the eighth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
It recognizes kṣatriya-dharma: timely, decisive action for order and justice. Yet it is framed as a threat, showing how virtues can be misconstrued under envy and fear.
Mantharā portrays Rāma as capable and decisive, implying he could neutralize Bharata’s prospects if Kaikeyī delays.
Rāma’s prudence and timely action (prāptakāritva), a key royal virtue, is explicitly emphasized.