Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 7
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः — Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī
Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm
प्रत्यासन्नक्रमेणापि भरतस्यैव भामिनि।राज्यक्रमो विप्रकृष्टस्तयोस्तावत्कनीयसोः।।2.8.7।।
pratyāsannakrameṇāpi bharatasyaiva bhāmini |
rājyakramo viprakṛṣṭas tayos tāvat kanīyasoḥ || 2.8.7 ||
О прекрасная госпожа, даже по порядку рождения наследование царства ближе всего принадлежит Бхарате; для двух младших же эта возможность ещё далека.
O lovely lady! when Rama becomes the lord of this earth with its oceans, mountains and cities, then along with Bharata you will become miserable and fall into disgrace.
FAQs
It points to succession norms; dharma in kingship involves orderly transfer of power, but the verse is used rhetorically to provoke ambition rather than uphold justice.
Mantharā stresses Bharata’s closeness to the throne to persuade Kaikeyī that immediate action can secure Bharata’s kingship.
The verse implicitly contrasts rightful order with manipulative intent; it invites reflection on integrity in political counsel.