Chapter 8 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 8

Valmiki Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda

Verse 8.23

तस्माज्ज्येष्ठे हि कैकैयि राज्यतन्त्राणि पार्थिवाः। स्थापयन्त्यनवद्याङ्गि गुणवत्स्वितरेष्वपि॥

tasmājjyeṣṭhe hi kaikaiyi rājyatantrāṇi pārthivāḥ| sthāpayantyanavadyāṅgi guṇavatsvitareṣvapi||

English Meaning

Therefore it is that kings, O Kaikeyi, lay the task of Government on the eldest son if worthy, or else upon a younger most meritorious.

M.N. Dutt (1891–94, public domain)