Valmiki Ramayana 2.9.53: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 53
मन्थराप्रेरणा · वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
इति प्रशस्यमाना सा कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत् ।
शयानां शयने शुभ्रे वेद्यामग्निशिखामिव ॥५३॥
iti praśasyamānā sā kaikēyīmidamabravīt |
śayānāṃ śayane śubhre vedyāmagniśikhāmiva ||53||
إذ مُدِحت على هذا النحو، خاطبت مانثارا كايكَيِي بهذه الكلمات، وكانت مستلقيةً على سريرٍ أبيضَ مشرقٍ، كأنها لهيبُ نارٍ على مِذْبَحِ القُربان.
Flattered in this manner, Manthara addressed Kaikeyi who was lying on a white couch and looking like a flaming fire on the sacrificial altar:
FAQs
The simile (Agni-shikha) highlights Kaikeyi's intense radiance and purity, but also foreshadows the destructive potential of her impending request, much like a sacrificial fire can be both purifying and all-consuming.
The 'she' refers to Manthara, the hunchbacked maid, who is responding to the praise she just received from Kaikeyi.
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