Shloka 8

सुमन्त्रस्य कैकेयी-निन्दा

Sumantra’s Reproof of Kaikeyi in the Royal Assembly

Devanagari script

मावमंस्था दशरथं भर्तारं वरदं पतिम्। भर्तुरिच्छा हि नारीणां पुत्रकोट्या विशिष्यते।।2.35.8।।

Transliteration

mā vamaṃsthā daśarathaṃ bhartāraṃ varadaṃ patim | bhartur icchā hi nārīṇāṃ putra-koṭyā viśiṣyate ||2.35.8||

Translation

دشرتھ کو حقیر نہ جان—وہی تیرا بھرتا، تیرا پالنے والا، اور ور دینے والا پتی ہے۔ کیونکہ کہا جاتا ہے کہ عورتوں کے لیے شوہر کی خواہش، کروڑوں بیٹوں سے بھی بڑھ کر ہے۔

Word by Word

यथाaccording as

अवयःage

हिindeed

राज्यानिkingdoms

प्राप्नुवन्तिobtain

नृपक्षयेat the king's death

इक्ष्वाकुकुलनाथेin the lord of Ikshvaku line (Rama)

अस्मिन्in this

तत्that (order/arrangement)

लोपयितुम्to destroy/abolish

इच्छसिyou wish

Context

King Dasaratha is invincible like Indra, unshakeable like a mountain and unperturbable like the ocean. By causing grief to him through your action I feel you are killing your husband (inch by inch). I think you are ultimately destroying your own race.

Characters & Entities

Sumantra

Kaikeyi

Dasaratha

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It asserts the primacy of honoring one’s marital and household obligations, treating contempt toward a righteous spouse as a breach of dharma.

What is the narrative situation?

Sumantra admonishes Kaikeyi not to scorn Dasaratha and appeals to traditional ideals of wifely duty and respect.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Dasaratha’s role as protector and benefactor (giver of boons) is emphasized, portraying him as deserving reverence rather than disdain.