Shloka 2.7.15

मन्थराप्रवेशः — Manthara Observes Ayodhya and Incites Kaikeyi

Devanagari script

अनिष्टे सुभगाकारे सौभाग्येन विकत्थसे।चलं हि तव सौभाग्यं नद्यास्स्रोत इवोष्णगे।।।।

Transliteration

uttiṣṭha mūḍhe kiṃ śeṣe bhayaṃ tvām abhivartate | upaplutām aughena kim ātmānaṃ na budhyase ||

Translation

“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?”

Context

Though you appear to be your husband's darling, in reality he dislikes you. The good fortune you boast of indeed is unstable like the stream of a river in summer.

Characters & Entities

• Mantharā
• Kaikeyī

FAQs

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

It illustrates how adharma often begins with distortion: fear is used as a tool to override calm discernment (viveka), pulling a person away from truthful judgment (satya).

What is the narrative situation?

Mantharā abruptly wakes Kaikeyī and tries to alarm her, claiming imminent danger.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The need for discernment and steadiness (a virtue implied by its absence): Kaikeyī is urged away from calm reason by Mantharā’s panic-inducing rhetoric.