Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 52, Shloka 19
गङ्गातरणम्, सुमन्त्र-प्रतिनिवर्तनम्, जटाधारणम्
Crossing the Gaṅgā; Sumantra’s Return; Adoption of Ascetic Signs
वयं खलु हता राम ये त्वयाप्युपवञ्चिताः।कैकेय्या वशमेष्यामः पापाया दुःखभागिनः।।2.52.19।।
vayaṃ khalu hatā rāma ye tvayāpy upavañcitāḥ |
kaikeyyā vaśam eṣyāmaḥ pāpāyā duḥkhabhāginaḥ ||
罗摩啊，我们确已毁灭——连你也被夺去；我们将屈从于那罪恶的凯凯伊，成为忧苦的承受者。
Deprived of you, O Rama! we will come under the control of that sinful Kaikeyi. We will suffer and die.
FAQs
The verse contrasts dharmic leadership with adharma: when the righteous are removed, society fears domination by selfish power, leading to collective suffering.
Sumantra expresses despair that, with Rama exiled, the remaining household will be subject to Kaikeyī’s will.
Rama’s protective righteousness is implied: his presence is seen as a moral safeguard for the kingdom and its people.