Valmiki Ramayana 2.7.17 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 7, Shloka 17

मन्थराप्रवेशः

Manthara Observes Ayodhya and Incites Kaikeyi

Devanagari script

कैकेयी त्वब्रवीत्कुब्जां कच्चित्क्षेमं नु मन्थरे।विषण्णवदनां हि त्वां लक्षये भृशदुःखिताम्।।।।

Transliteration

kaikeyī tv abravīt kubjāṃ kaccit kṣemaṃ nu manthare | viṣaṇṇavadanāṃ hi tvāṃ lakṣaye bhṛśaduḥkhitām ||

Translation

قالت كايكَيِي للحدباء: «يا مانثارا، أكلُّ شيءٍ على ما يرام؟ إني أراكِ بوجهٍ كئيب، وكأنكِ شديدةُ الكرب».

Word by Word

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

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

• abravīt: said, spoke
• abravīt: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: brū (धातु)
• Form: लुङ् (aorist), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

• kubjām: to the hunchback (Mantharā)
• kubjām: Karma (कर्म) (addressee)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kubjā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• kaccit: I hope?, is it the case that...?
• kaccit: Prashna (प्रश्न)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: kaccit (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (interrogative particle)

• kṣemam: well-being, safety
• kṣemam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṣema (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• nu: indeed?, pray
• nu: Prashna (प्रश्न)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: nu (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (interrogative/emphatic particle)

• manthare: O Mantharā
• manthare: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantharā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th), एकवचन

• viṣaṇṇa-vadanām: with a dejected face
• viṣaṇṇa-vadanām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: viṣaṇṇa (प्रातिपदिक) + vadana (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: कर्मधारय-समास (‘viṣaṇṇaṃ vadanaṃ yasyāḥ’), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (tvām)

• hi: indeed, for
• hi: Sambandha-bodhaka (सम्बन्धबोधक)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: hi (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (particle, emphasis/causal)

• tvām: you
• tvām: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (प्रातिपदिक सर्वनाम)
• Form: सर्वनाम, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• lakṣaye: I observe, I notice
• lakṣaye: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: lakṣ (धातु)
• Form: लट् (present), आत्मनेपद, उत्तमपुरुष, एकवचन

• bhṛśa-duḥkhitām: deeply sorrowful
• bhṛśa-duḥkhitām: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: bhṛśa (अव्यय) + duḥkhita (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययीभाव-समास (‘bhṛśaṃ duḥkhitā’), स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (tvām)

Context

Hearing the words of Kaikeyi uttered in a gentle voice, wrathful Manthara skilled in speech, said:

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Mantharā

FAQs

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

A dharmic reflex of care is shown: Kaikeyī checks on another’s well-being, reflecting responsibility and basic compassion in relationships.

What is the narrative situation?

Alarmed by Mantharā’s mood, Kaikeyī questions her, opening the door for Mantharā’s persuasive speech.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Attentiveness and concern for others—Kaikeyī notices distress and responds with inquiry rather than indifference.