Valmiki Ramayana 2.7.16 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 7, Shloka 16

मन्थराप्रवेशः

Manthara Observes Ayodhya and Incites Kaikeyi

Devanagari script

एवमुक्ता तु कैकेयी रुष्टया परुषं वचः।कुब्जया पापदर्शिन्या विषादमगमत्परम्।।।।

Transliteration

evam uktā tu kaikeyī ruṣṭayā paruṣaṃ vacaḥ | kubjayā pāpadarśinyā viṣādam agamat param ||

Translation

فلما خوطبت كايكَيِي بتلك الكلمات القاسية من الحدباء الغاضبة سيّئة النية، غاصت في حزنٍ عميق.

Word by Word

• evam: thus, in this way
• evam: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: evam (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (indeclinable adverb)

• uktā: having been addressed
• uktā: Karta (कर्ता) (of implied state)
• Type: Verb
• Root: vac (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: कृदन्त (past passive participle/क्त), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मणि प्रयोगे ‘having been spoken to/ addressed’

• tu: but, indeed
• tu: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: tu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle/conjunction)

• kaikeyī: Kaikeyi
• kaikeyī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kaikeyī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• ruṣṭayā: in anger, being enraged
• ruṣṭayā: Hetu/Kāraṇa (हेतु/कारण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ruṣṭa (प्रातिपदिक; √ruṣ)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; विशेषण (instrumental of state/attendant circumstance)

• paruṣam: harsh
• paruṣam: Karma (कर्म) (qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: paruṣa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण

• vacaḥ: words, speech
• vacaḥ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: vacas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• kubjayā: by the hunchback (Mantharā)
• kubjayā: Karaṇa/Hetu (करण/हेतु)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kubjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन

• pāpa-darśinyā: evil-looking, wicked-eyed
• pāpa-darśinyā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: pāpa (प्रातिपदिक) + darśinī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तत्पुरुष-समास (कर्मधारयवत्/षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः: ‘pāpaṃ darśayati/paśyati’), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; विशेषण (kubjayā)

• viṣādam: despondency
• viṣādam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: viṣāda (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• agamat: went to, fell into, attained
• agamat: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: gam (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (aorist), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• param: great, extreme
• param: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: para (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन; विशेषण (viṣādam)

Context

Kaikeyi said to the hunchback, O Manthara! isn't all well with you? I can mark it from your dejected face how greatly distressed you feel, indeed!.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Mantharā (kubjā)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It highlights the dharmic importance of right speech: cruel or manipulative words can unseat another’s mental balance, leading them away from righteous decision-making.

What is the narrative situation?

Mantharā’s verbal attack successfully unsettles Kaikeyī, plunging her into anxiety and sorrow.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The need for emotional steadiness and discernment; Kaikeyī’s vulnerability to despair becomes the opening for further manipulation.