Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 10, Shloka 3
क्रोधागारप्रवेशः — Entry into the Chamber of Wrath
Kaikeyī’s Protest
सा दीना निश्चयं कृत्वा मन्थरावाक्यमोहिता।नागकन्येव निश्वस्य दीर्घमुष्णं च भामिनी।।।।मुहूर्तं चिन्तयामास मार्गमात्मसुखावहम्।
sā dīnā niścayaṃ kṛtvā mantharāvākyamohitā | nāgakanyeva niśvasya dīrgham uṣṇaṃ ca bhāminī || muhūrtaṃ cintayāmāsa mārgam ātmasukhāvaham |
Wretched and deluded by Mantharā’s words, that proud queen, having made her decision, heaved long, hot sighs like a serpent-maiden; then for a while she pondered the means that would secure her own happiness.
That beautiful wretch (Kaikeyi) impressed by the words of Manthara heaved deep, hot sighs like a female serpent and thought for a while about the means of bringing happiness to herself.
FAQs
Dharma warns against moha (delusion) and self-centered plotting; when one’s ‘means’ aim only at personal gain, truth and righteousness are easily compromised.
After being provoked by Mantharā, Kaikeyī steels herself and begins planning how to achieve her desired outcome.
By contrast (through negation), the verse highlights the danger of losing discernment (viveka) under persuasion and desire.