मन्थराप्रवेशः — Manthara Observes Ayodhya and Incites Kaikeyi
अयोध्याकाण्ड
Sarga 7 stages the catalytic transition from public celebration to private manipulation. Mantharā, Kaikeyī’s long-attendant family servant, casually ascends a moon-bright palace and surveys Ayodhyā prepared for a major royal rite: roads sprinkled, flowers strewn, flags raised, temples resonant with Vedic chant and instruments, and crowds rejoicing. She interrogates a nearby royal maid (dhātrī) about the city’s exuberance; the maid, bursting with joy, announces that King Daśaratha will consecrate the blameless Rāma as yuvarāja on the next day under the Puṣya nakṣatra. The news triggers Mantharā’s fury; she descends from the Kailāsa-like palace and confronts Kaikeyī, who lies at ease. Mantharā deploys coercive rhetoric—warnings of imminent danger, claims of unstable fortune, and accusations of deceitful statecraft—to induce despondency and reframe the coronation as Kaikeyī’s ruin (and Bharata’s). Kaikeyī initially responds with concern and then with delight at the prospect of Rāma’s consecration, even gifting Mantharā an ornament for the “good tidings,” revealing her initial lack of rivalry between Rāma and Bharata. The chapter’s thematic lesson is the power of speech (vāk) as political instrument: public dharma-rituals can be overturned by private persuasion and fear-based narrative control.
Verse 2.7.1
ज्ञातिदासी यतो जाता कैकेय्यास्तु सहोषिता।प्रासादं चन्द्रसङ्काशमारुरोह यदृच्छया।।।।
Mantharā, Kaikeyī’s family servant who had lived with her from her very birth, happened by chance to climb up to a palace that shone like the moon.
Verse 2.7.2
सिक्तराजपथां कृत्स्नां प्रकीर्णकुसुमोत्कराम्।अयोध्यां मन्थरा तस्मात्प्रासादादन्ववैक्षत।।।।
Growing even more downcast, the hunchback—claiming to seek Kaikeyī’s welfare—spoke so as to deepen her despair and to estrange her from Rāghava (Rāma).
Verse 2.7.3
पताकाभिर्वरार्हाभिर्ध्वजैश्च समलङ्कृताम्।वृतां छन्दपथैश्चापि शिरस्स्नातजनैर्वृताम्।।।।माल्यमोदकहस्तैश्च द्विजेन्द्रैरभिनादिताम्।शुक्लदेवगृहद्वारां सर्ववादित्रनिस्वनाम्।।।।सम्प्रहृष्टजनाकीर्णां ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादिताम्।प्रहृष्टवरहस्त्यश्वां सम्प्रणर्दितगोवृषाम्।।।।प्रहृष्टमुदितैः पौरैरुच्छ्रितध्वजमालिनीम्।अयोध्यां मन्थरा दृष्ट्वा परं विस्मयमागता।।।।
Mantharā beheld Ayodhyā—adorned with precious banners and flags, its winding streets thronged with people freshly bathed. It resounded with Vedic chants from eminent brāhmaṇas bearing garlands and sweets, and with the music of every kind of instrument. Joyous crowds filled the ways; fine elephants and horses were spirited; cows and bulls made the city ring with lowing and bellowing. The citizens, exultant, raised high garlands of pennants around the town—seeing all this, Mantharā was seized by profound astonishment.
Verse 2.7.4
पताकाभिर्वरार्हाभिर्ध्वजैश्च समलङ्कृताम्।वृतां छन्दपथैश्चापि शिरस्स्नातजनैर्वृताम्।।2.7.3।।माल्यमोदकहस्तैश्च द्विजेन्द्रैरभिनादिताम्।शुक्लदेवगृहद्वारां सर्ववादित्रनिस्वनाम्।।2.7.4।।सम्प्रहृष्टजनाकीर्णां ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादिताम्।प्रहृष्टवरहस्त्यश्वां सम्प्रणर्दितगोवृषाम्।।2.7.5।।प्रहृष्टमुदितैः पौरैरुच्छ्रितध्वजमालिनीम्।अयोध्यां मन्थरा दृष्ट्वा परं विस्मयमागता।।2.7.6।।
Ayodhyā resounded with eminent brahmins holding garlands and sweetmeats; its temples, with white-painted doorways, rang with every kind of music. Crowds rejoiced as Vedic chants rose; fine elephants and horses were spirited, and cows and bulls bellowed. Seeing the city adorned with raised flags and garlands, Mantharā was struck with amazement.
Verse 2.7.5
पताकाभिर्वरार्हाभिर्ध्वजैश्च समलङ्कृताम्।वृतां छन्दपथैश्चापि शिरस्स्नातजनैर्वृताम्।।2.7.3।।माल्यमोदकहस्तैश्च द्विजेन्द्रैरभिनादिताम्।शुक्लदेवगृहद्वारां सर्ववादित्रनिस्वनाम्।।2.7.4।।सम्प्रहृष्टजनाकीर्णां ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादिताम्।प्रहृष्टवरहस्त्यश्वां सम्प्रणर्दितगोवृषाम्।।2.7.5।।प्रहृष्टमुदितैः पौरैरुच्छ्रितध्वजमालिनीम्।अयोध्यां मन्थरा दृष्ट्वा परं विस्मयमागता।।2.7.6।।
True to his vow, pure-hearted and splendid, Bharata—watching the course of the Śilāvahā—passed beyond the great mountains, heading toward the forest called Caitraratha.
Verse 2.7.6
पताकाभिर्वरार्हाभिर्ध्वजैश्च समलङ्कृताम्।वृतां छन्दपथैश्चापि शिरस्स्नातजनैर्वृताम्।।2.7.3।।माल्यमोदकहस्तैश्च द्विजेन्द्रैरभिनादिताम्।शुक्लदेवगृहद्वारां सर्ववादित्रनिस्वनाम्।।2.7.4।।सम्प्रहृष्टजनाकीर्णां ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादिताम्।प्रहृष्टवरहस्त्यश्वां सम्प्रणर्दितगोवृषाम्।।2.7.5।।प्रहृष्टमुदितैः पौरैरुच्छ्रितध्वजमालिनीम्।अयोध्यां मन्थरा दृष्ट्वा परं विस्मयमागता।।2.7.6।।
Seeing Ayodhyā adorned with garlands and rows of raised banners, and its citizens exultant with joy, Mantharā was overcome with great astonishment.
Verse 2.7.7
प्रहर्षोत्फुल्लनयनां पाण्डुरक्षौमवासिनीम्।अविदूरे स्थितां दृष्ट्वा धात्रीं पप्रच्छ मन्थरा।।।।
Noticing nearby a royal maid, clad in pale-white silk and with eyes widened in delight, Mantharā questioned her.
Verse 2.7.8
उत्तमेनाभिसंयुक्ता हर्षेणार्थपरा सती।राममाता धनं किन्नु जनेभ्यस्सम्प्रयच्छति।।।।
Why is Rāma’s mother—known to be intent on wealth—now, filled with exceptional joy, distributing riches among the people?
Verse 2.7.9
अतिमात्रप्रहर्षोऽयं किं जनस्य च शंस मे।कारयिष्यति किं वापि सम्प्रहृष्टो महीपतिः।।।।
Why is there such excessive rejoicing among the people? Tell me—what does the delighted king intend to have done?
Verse 2.7.10
विदीर्यमाणा हर्षेण धात्री तु परया मुदा।आचचक्षेऽथ कुब्जायै भूयसीं राघव श्रियम्।।।।
Bursting with joy, the nurse-maid, filled with great delight, then told the hunchback woman about the abundant good fortune that awaited Rāma, the scion of Raghu.
Verse 2.7.11
श्वः पुष्येण जितक्रोधं यौवराज्येन राघवम्।राजा दशरथो राममभिषेचयिताऽनघम्।।।।
From that palace, Mantharā looked out and beheld all Ayodhyā—its royal roads freshly sprinkled with water and heaped with flowers—made ready in festive splendor.
Verse 2.7.12
धात्र्यास्तु वचनं शृत्वा कुब्जा क्षिप्रममर्षिता।कैलासशिखराकारा त्प्रासादादवरोहत।।।।
“Tomorrow, under the Puṣya constellation, King Daśaratha will perform the royal consecration (abhiṣeka) of blameless Rāma of Raghu’s line—who has mastered his anger—as heir-apparent.”
Verse 2.7.13
सा दह्यमाना कोपेन मन्थरा पापदर्शिनी।शयानामेत्य कैकेयीमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्।।।।
Hearing the maid’s words, the hunchback, seized with fury, quickly descended from the palace that rose like the peak of Mount Kailāsa.
Verse 2.7.14
उत्तिष्ठ मूढे किं शेषे भयं त्वामभिवर्तते।उपप्लुतामौघेन किमात्मानं न बुध्यसे।।।।
Mantharā, evil-minded and burning with rage, went to Kaikeyī as she lay resting and spoke these words.
Verse 2.7.15
अनिष्टे सुभगाकारे सौभाग्येन विकत्थसे।चलं हि तव सौभाग्यं नद्यास्स्रोत इवोष्णगे।।।।
“Rise, foolish one—why do you lie asleep? Fear is closing in upon you. Why do you not perceive that you are being swept along, adrift in a flood of dangers?”
Verse 2.7.16
एवमुक्ता तु कैकेयी रुष्टया परुषं वचः।कुब्जया पापदर्शिन्या विषादमगमत्परम्।।।।
O you who are truly unloved though you wear the look of a favored queen—you boast of your fortune. Yet your “good fortune” is fickle, like a river’s current in the heat of summer.
Verse 2.7.17
कैकेयी त्वब्रवीत्कुब्जां कच्चित्क्षेमं नु मन्थरे।विषण्णवदनां हि त्वां लक्षये भृशदुःखिताम्।।।।
Thus addressed with harsh words by the enraged hunchback of evil intent, Kaikeyī sank into profound dejection.
Verse 2.7.18
मन्थरा तु वच श्श्रुत्वा कैकेय्या मधुराक्षरम्।उवाच क्रोधसंयुक्ता वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदा।।।।
Kaikeyī said to the hunchback: “Mantharā, is all well? I see your face is downcast—you seem deeply distressed.”
Verse 2.7.19
सा विषण्णतरा भूत्वा कुब्जा तस्या हितैषिणी।विषादयन्ती प्रोवाच भेदयन्ती च राघवम्।।।।
Hearing Kaikeyī’s sweetly spoken words, Mantharā—skilled in speech yet filled with anger—began to reply.
Verse 2.7.20
अक्षय्यं सुमहद्देवि प्रवृत्तं त्वद्विनाशनम्।रामं दशरथो राजा यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति।।।।
O queen, an immense and unending ruin for you has now been set in motion: King Daśaratha is about to consecrate Rāma as heir-apparent.
Verse 2.7.21
साऽस्म्यगाधे भये मग्ना दुःखशोकसमन्विता।दह्यमानाऽनलेनेव त्वद्धितार्थमिहागता।।।।
I am plunged in unfathomable fear, filled with grief and sorrow; burning as though in fire, I have come here for your welfare.
Verse 2.7.22
तव दुःखेन कैकेयि मम दुःखं महद्भवेत्।त्वद्वृद्धौ मम वृद्धिश्च भवेदत्र न संशयः।।।।
O Kaikeyī, your sorrow would become my great sorrow; and with your prosperity my prosperity would grow—of this there is no doubt.
Verse 2.7.23
नराधिपकुले जाता महिषी त्वं महीपतेः।उग्रत्वं राजधर्माणां कथं देवि न बुध्यसे।।।।
O queen—born in a royal line and the king’s chief consort—how do you not understand the harshness that can attend the duties and politics of kingship?
Verse 2.7.24
धर्मावादी शठो भर्ता श्लक्ष्णवादी च दारुणः।शुद्धभावे न जानीषे तेनैव मतिसन्धिता।।।।
Your husband speaks of dharma, yet is deceitful; he speaks gently, yet is cruel. Because you are innocent in disposition, you do not recognize it, and your judgment is ensnared by him.
Verse 2.7.25
उपस्थितः प्रयुञ्जानस्त्वयि सान्त्वमनर्थकम्।अर्थेनैवाद्य ते भर्ता कौसल्यां योजयिष्यति।।।।
Though he comes to you and offers only futile words of consolation, today your husband will grant the true advantage to Kausalyā alone.
Verse 2.7.26
उपवाह्य स दुष्टात्मा भरतं तव बन्धुषु।काल्ये स्थापयिता रामं राज्ये निहतकण्टके।।।।
That wicked-minded man, having sent Bharata away among your relatives, will at dawn install Rāma in a kingdom cleared of all obstacles.
Verse 2.7.27
शत्रुः पतिप्रवादेन मात्रेव हितकाम्यया।आशीविष इवाङ्केन बाले परिधृतस्त्वया।।।।
O child, wishing his good like a mother—mistaking him for a true husband—you have kept an enemy in your lap, like a venomous serpent.
Verse 2.7.28
यथा हि कुर्यात्सर्पो वा शत्रुर्वा प्रत्युपेक्षितः।राज्ञा दशरथेनाद्य सपुत्रा त्वं तथा कृता।।।।
Just as a neglected snake—or a neglected enemy—would act, so today King Daśaratha has treated you, together with your son.
Verse 2.7.29
पापेनानृतसान्त्वेन बाले नित्यसुखोचिते।रामं स्थापयता राज्ये सानुबन्धा हता ह्यसि।।।।
O child, ever accustomed to comfort—by that sinful man’s false consolations, as he installs Rāma in the kingdom, you are indeed ruined, you and all bound to you (including your son).
Verse 2.7.30
सा प्राप्तकालं कैकेयि क्षिप्रं कुरु हितं तव।त्रायस्व पुत्रमात्मानं मां च विस्मयदर्शने।।।।
O Kaikeyī, the time has come—act swiftly for your own advantage. Save your son, yourself, and me as well, O woman of bewildered vision.
Verse 2.7.31
मन्थाराया वचश्श्रुत्वा शयाना सा शुभानना।उत्तस्थौ हर्षसम्पूर्णा चन्द्रलेखेव शारदी।।।।
Hearing Mantharā’s words, Kaikeyī—reclining at ease, her face fair—rose up filled with delight, like the bright crescent moon of the autumn season.
Verse 2.7.32
अतीव सा तु संहृष्टा कैकेयी विस्मयान्विता।एकमाभरणं तस्यै कुब्जायै प्रददौ शुभम्।।।।
Overjoyed and amazed, Kaikeyī gave that hunchback woman a single splendid ornament.
Verse 2.7.33
दत्वा त्वाभरणं तस्यै कुब्जायै प्रमदोत्तमा।कैकेयी मन्थरां दृष्ट्वा पुनरेवाब्रवीदिदम्।।।।
Having given the ornament to the hunchback, Kaikeyī—the foremost among women—looked at Mantharā and spoke again as follows.
Verse 2.7.34
इदं तु मन्थरे मह्यमाख्यासि परमं प्रियम्।एतन्मे प्रियमाख्यातुः किं वा भूयः करोमि ते।।।।
O Mantharā, you have told me something exceedingly pleasing. For one who brings me such glad tidings, what more can I do for you?
Verse 2.7.35
रामे वा भरते वाऽहं विशेषं नोपलक्षये।तस्मात्तुष्टाऽस्मि यद्राजा रामं राज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति।।।।
Whether it is Rāma or Bharata, I see no difference between them. Therefore I am satisfied that the king will consecrate Rāma to the kingdom.
Verse 2.7.36
न मे परं किञ्चिदितस्त्वया पुनःप्रियं प्रियार्हे सुवचं वचःपरम्।तथा ह्यवोचस्त्वमतः प्रियोत्तरंवरं परं ते प्रददामि तं वृणु।।।।
O woman worthy of affection, nothing beyond this could be dearer to me from you—your words are beyond easy praise. Since you have spoken so, I shall grant you an even higher reward: choose it.