Valmiki Ramayana 2.8.39: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 39
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः · Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī
Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm
यदा हि रामः पृथिवीमवाप्स्यति ध्रुवं प्रणष्टो भरतो भविष्यति ।
अतो हि सञ्चिन्तय राज्यमात्मजे परस्य चैवाद्य विवासकारणम् ॥३९॥
yadā hi rāmaḥ pṛthivīm avāpsyati dhruvaṃ praṇaṣṭo bharato bhaviṣyati |
ato hi sañcintaya rājyam ātmaje parasya caivādya vivāsakāraṇam ||39||
Sapagkat kapag natamo ni Rāma ang daigdig, tiyak na mapapahamak si Bharata. Kaya pag-isipan mo ngayon din ang kaharian para sa iyong anak, at ang paraan upang ipatapon ang iyong karibal—si Rāma.
When Rama obtains this earth, Bharata will be certainly ruined. Therefore, right now think of the kingdom for your son and the means of banishment for your enemy, Rama.ityārṣē śrīmadrāmāyaṇē vālmīkīya ādikāvyē ayōdhyākāṇḍē aṣṭamassargaḥ৷৷Thus ends the eighth sarga of Ayodhyakanda of the holy Ramayana, the first epic composed by sage Valmiki.
FAQs
It shows a direct breach of dharma and satya: plotting unjust exile for a righteous heir. The Ramayana uses such counsel to illustrate how adharma begins with calculated, self-serving plans.
Mantharā culminates her persuasion by urging Kaikeyī to secure the throne for Bharata immediately and to arrange Rāma’s banishment.
In negative relief, it emphasizes the virtue of righteous counsel (hitopadeśa aligned with dharma). Mantharā’s advice exemplifies its opposite: manipulative, fear-based policy.
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