Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 36
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः — Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī
Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm
अभिद्रुतमिवारण्ये सिंहेन गजयूथपम्।प्रच्छाद्यमानं रामेण भरतं त्रातुमर्हसि।।2.8.36।।
abhidrutam ivāraṇye siṃhena gajayūthapam |
pracchādyamānaṃ rāmeṇa bharataṃ trātum arhasi || 2.8.36 ||
جیسے جنگل میں شیر ہاتھیوں کے جھنڈ کے سردار پر جھپٹتا ہے، ویسے ہی رام بھرت کو مغلوب کر دے گا؛ اس لیے تم پر لازم ہے کہ اسے بچاؤ۔
Since Bharata and Rama have equal claim to the kingdom, Bharata is a source of fear for Rama. Having thought over this matter, I am dejected. Danger springs from one who is in fear.
FAQs
It appeals to a mother’s protective duty, but redirects it toward unjust rivalry. Dharma would protect children without violating truth and fairness toward others.
Mantharā uses a vivid animal simile to intensify Kaikeyī’s fear that Rāma will dominate Bharata.
Protectiveness is invoked as a virtue, though the verse shows how that impulse can be manipulated into adharma when paired with suspicion.