Ramayana — 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 ||
इमामपि कुब्जां हतां यदि राघवो जानाति, धर्मात्मा स ध्रुवं त्वां मां च नाभिभाषिष्यते।
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.