Valmiki Ramayana 2.8.5 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8, Shloka 5
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः — Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī
Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm
भरतादेव रामस्य राज्यसाधारणाद्भयम्।तद्विचिन्त्य विषण्णाऽस्मि भयं भीताऽद्धि जायते।।2.8.5।।
bharatād eva rāmasya rājyasādhāraṇād bhayam |
tad vicintya viṣaṇṇā’smi bhayaṃ bhītād dhi jāyate || 2.8.5 ||
Chính từ Bharata mà nỗi sợ đối với Rāma phát sinh, vì quyền thừa kế vương quốc là điều cùng chia sẻ. Nghĩ đến đó, ta buồn khổ; bởi hiểm họa sinh ra từ kẻ đang run sợ.
Like the leader of an elephant-herd attacked by a lion in the forest, Bharata is going to be oppressed by Rama. You should save him.
FAQs
It cautions that fear-driven politics breeds harm. Dharmically, governance and family order should be guided by fairness and truth, not insecurity and rivalry.
Mantharā argues that Bharata’s proximity in succession makes Rāma wary, and that fear can trigger preemptive actions.
The implied virtue is courage and steadiness (dhairya). Fear is presented as a seed of conflict rather than a basis for righteous decision.
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