Valmiki Ramayana 2.9.6 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 6
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
किं न स्मरसि कैकेयि स्मरन्ती वा निगूहसे।यदुच्यमानमात्मार्थं मत्तस्त्वं श्रोतुमिच्छसि।।।।
kiṃ na smarasi kaikeyi smarantī vā nigūhase | yad ucyamānam ātmārthaṃ mattas tvaṃ śrotum icchasi ||
يا كايكَيِي، أما تذكرين، أم إنك تذكرين ثم تُخفين، ما سأقوله لمنفعتك أنتِ، والذي تريدين أن تسمعيه مني؟
O Kaikeyi, don't you remember in your own interest what I'm going to tell you or are you hiding it, wishing to hear from me?
FAQs
It highlights the power of counsel: dharma depends on seeking and giving advice grounded in truth and welfare, not self-serving intrigue.
Mantharā primes Kaikeyī for a ‘reminder’ meant to provoke action, suggesting Kaikeyī already knows the advantageous strategy.
Discernment is implicitly demanded (remember rightly, do not conceal), though the speaker’s intent is manipulative rather than virtuous.
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