Valmiki Ramayana 2.78.23: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 78, Shloka 23
अष्टसप्ततितमः सर्गः — Śatrughna’s Fury and Bharata’s Restraint
Mantharā Episode
इमामपि हतां कुब्जां यदि जानाति राघवः।त्वां च मां च हि धर्मात्मा नाभिभाषिष्यते ध्रुवम्।।।।
imām api hatāṁ kubjāṁ yadi jānāti rāghavaḥ |
tvāṁ ca māṁ ca hi dharmātmā nābhibhāṣiṣyate dhruvam ||
Se Rāghava souber que até esta corcunda foi morta, esse homem justo certamente não falará nem contigo nem comigo.
Manthara, tormented with grief, fell at the feet of Kaikeyi and began heaving deep sighs.
FAQs
Dharma includes responsibility for one’s actions: violence brings not only sin but also loss of fellowship with the righteous; moral community is preserved through restraint.
Śatrughna warns that killing Mantharā would alienate them from Rāma, whose ethical standards are uncompromising.
Rāma’s integrity: he would refuse association with those who commit wrongful killing, even if provoked.
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