Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 31
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि रामे प्रव्राजिते वनम्।रूढश्च कृतमूलश्च शेषं स्थास्यति ते सुतः।।।।
caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi rāme pravrājite vanam | rūḍhaś ca kṛtamūlaś ca śeṣaṃ sthāsyati te sutaḥ ||
ラーマが十四年森へ追われれば、そなたの子は強く育ち、深く根を下ろす。以後は残る時のあいだ安泰であろう。
After Rama has been exiled into the forest for fourteen years your son grown strong and deep-rooted will remain (king) for the rest of his life.
FAQs
It contrasts dharma with realpolitik: stability gained through another’s unjust suffering is portrayed as ‘rooting’ power, revealing the adharmic logic of consolidation.
Mantharā argues that a long exile will allow Bharata to become firmly established, making any later challenge ineffective.
No virtue is celebrated; instead, it underscores strategic patience and consolidation—skills that can serve either dharma or adharma depending on intent.