Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 26
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
न ह्यतिक्रमितुं शक्तस्तव वाक्यं महीपतिः।मन्दस्वभावे बुध्यस्व सौभाग्यबलमात्मनः।।।।
na hy atikramituṃ śaktas tava vākyaṃ mahīpatiḥ |
mandasvabhāve budhyasva saubhāgyabalam ātmanaḥ ||
大地の主は、そなたの言葉に背くことはできぬ。ああ、心の卑しい女よ、自らの幸運と魅力の力を悟れ。
The king is afraid of inciting your ire. When you are angry, he dare not look at your indignant countenance. Indeed he will forsake even his life for your pleasure.
FAQs
It shows how power over another can tempt adharma; dharma demands that influence be exercised for justice and truth, not for selfish ends.
Mantharā asserts that Daśaratha cannot disobey Kaikeyī and urges her to recognize her leverage.
The king’s adherence to a beloved’s word is implied; the lesson shifts to the virtue Kaikeyī should have shown—responsible use of influence aligned with satya and dharma.