Shloka 2.7.27
मन्थराप्रवेशः — Manthara Observes Ayodhya and Incites Kaikeyi
शत्रुः पतिप्रवादेन मात्रेव हितकाम्यया।आशीविष इवाङ्केन बाले परिधृतस्त्वया।।।।
śatruḥ patipravādena mātreva hitakāmyayā | āśīviṣa ivāṅkena bāle paridhṛtas tvayā ||
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.
O innocent lady! with the intention of doing good like a mother to your husband who is your enemy, you are holding on your lap a venomous serpent.
It cautions that relationships must be grounded in truth and just conduct; dharma includes discerning whether trust is deserved.
Mantharā uses a striking metaphor to portray Daśaratha as a hidden threat, urging Kaikeyī to stop trusting him.
Prudence (apramāda) is emphasized—though weaponized here to erode marital trust.