Shloka 18
पञ्चाशत्तमः सर्गः (Sarga 53)
Rāma’s Lament, Vigil for Sītā, and Lakṣmaṇa’s Consolation
क्षुद्रकर्मा हि कैकेयी द्वेष्यमन्याय्यमाचरेत्।परिदद्याहि धर्मज्ञे भरते मम मातरम्।।।।
kṣudrakarmā hi kaikeyī dveṣyam anyāyyam ācaret |
paridadyā hi dharmajñe bharate mama mātaram ||
కైకేయి క్షుద్రకర్మగలది; ద్వేషంతో ఆమె హేయమైన, అన్యాయమైన కార్యాలు చేయవచ్చు. అందుకే ధర్మజ్ఞుడైన భరతునికి నా తల్లిని అప్పగించు।
O Lakshmana, surely in one of her previous births did my mother separate women from their sons. That is why this (calamity) has befallen her.
FAQs
Seeking dharmic guardianship: when injustice is feared, one should place the vulnerable under the care of a righteous person rather than respond with retaliation.
Rama anticipates possible further harm from Kaikeyi toward Kausalya and advises Lakshmana to rely on Bharata’s righteousness for Kausalya’s protection.
Prudence guided by dharma: Rama plans for safety through ethical alliances, not through anger or violence.