Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 78, Shloka 14
अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः — Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint
Mantharā Episode
आमन्त्रयत कृत्स्न श्च तस्या स्सर्व स्सखीजनः।यथाऽयं समुपक्रान्तो निश्शेषां नः करिष्यति।।।।
āmantrayata kṛtsnaś ca tasyāḥ sarvaḥ sakhījanaḥ | yathāyaṃ samupakrānto niḥśeṣāṃ naḥ kariṣyati ||
仲間たちは皆で相談した。「あの始め方では、この男は私たちを徹底して滅ぼし、誰一人残さぬだろう。」
All her companions conversed among themselves. The way he began, it looks he will finish all of us.
FAQs
The verse reflects a social ethic: when power turns to rage, the vulnerable seek protection. Dharma requires that strength be tempered by fairness and restraint.
The attendants, frightened by Śatrughna’s aggressive action, urgently discuss how to save themselves.
Practical prudence under danger—seeking a way to survive by finding lawful refuge rather than escalating conflict.