Valmiki Ramayana 2.8.7: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 7
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः · Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī
Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm
प्रत्यासन्नक्रमेणापि भरतस्यैव भामिनि ।
राज्यक्रमो विप्रकृष्टस्तयोस्तावत्कनीयसोः ॥७॥
pratyāsannakrameṇāpi bharatasyaiva bhāmini |
rājyakramo viprakṛṣṭas tayos tāvat kanīyasoḥ ||7||
โอ้สตรีผู้ผุดผ่อง แม้ตามลำดับกำเนิด การสืบราชสมบัติก็อยู่ถัดไปที่พระภรตะ; ส่วนสององค์ผู้น้องนั้น โอกาสยังห่างไกลนัก
O beautiful lady! in order of birth, too, Bharata's right to the throne is just next (to Rama's). While being younger, the chances of the other two (Lakshmana and Satrughna) are remote.
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.
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