Canto 2 -
Ayodhyā-kāṇḍa
Chapter 8: The Conversation Between Kaikeyī and Mantharā
Text 2.8.24
तस्माज्ज्येष्ठे हि कैकेयि राज्यतन्त्राणि पार्थिवाः।
स्थापयन्त्यनवद्याङ्गि गुणवत्स्वितरेष्वपि॥
tasmāj jyeṣṭhe hi kaikeyi rājya-tantrāṇi pārthivāḥ
sthāpayanty anavadyāṅgi guṇavatsv itareṣv api
tasmāt = therefore; jyeṣṭhe hi = on the eldest [son]; kaikeyi = O Kaikeyī; rājya-tantrāṇi = the administration of their kingdom 4; pārthivāḥ = kings; sthāpayanti = place; anavadya-aṅgi = of spotless bodily beauty; guṇavatsu = qualified [sons]; itareṣu = in the midst of other; api = even.
O Kaikeyī of spotless bodily beauty, therefore kings place the administration of their kingdom on the eldest [son] even in the midst of other qualified [sons].