Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 61, Shloka 15
कौसल्याविलापः
Kausalya’s Lament and Ethical Analogies on Kingship
एवं कनीयसा भ्रात्रा भुक्तं राज्यं विशाम्पते।भ्राता ज्येष्ठो वरिष्ठश्च किमर्थं नावमंस्यते।।2.61.15।।
evaṃ kanīyasā bhrātrā bhuktaṃ rājyaṃ viśāṃpate |
bhrātā jyeṣṭho variṣṭhaś ca kimarthaṃ nāvamaṃsyate ||
ಅದೇ ರೀತಿ, ಹೇ ವಿಶಾಂಪತೇ (ಜನಾಧಿಪತೇ), ಕನಿಷ್ಠ ಸಹೋದರನು ರಾಜ್ಯವನ್ನು ಭೋಗಿಸಿದ್ದರೆ, ಜ್ಯೇಷ್ಠನೂ ಶ್ರೇಷ್ಠನೂ ಆದ ಸಹೋದರನು ಅದನ್ನು ಏಕೆ ತಿರಸ್ಕರಿಸಬಾರದು?
O Lord of the world! why not the eldest and the most distinguished among the brothers likewise disdain the kingdom enjoyed by the younger brother?
FAQs
Dharma is rightful order and legitimacy: what belongs to the elder by justice should not be made morally ‘second-hand’ through political maneuvering.
Kauśalyā argues that once Bharata rules, the kingdom becomes ethically tainted for Rāma—like a ‘leftover’—thus warning Daśaratha of irreversible harm.
Concern for maryādā (propriety) and royal righteousness—Kauśalyā defends the principle of rightful succession and honor.