Shloka 2.8.10
मन्थराकैकेयीसंवादः — Mantharā’s Counsel to Kaikeyī (Ayodhyā’s Succession Alarm)
प्राप्तां सुमहतीं प्रीतिं प्रतीतां तां हतद्विषम्।उपस्थास्यसि कौसल्यां दासीव त्त्वं कृताञ्जलिः।।2.8.10।।
prāptāṃ sumahatīṃ prītiṃ pratītāṃ tāṃ hatadviṣam | upasthāsyasi kausalyāṃ dāsī iva tvaṃ kṛtāñjaliḥ || 2.8.10 ||
You will have to wait upon Kausalyā—renowned and now exultant, with her foes subdued—like a maidservant, hands folded in submission.
With folded palms like an attendant, you will have to serve that renowned Kausalya who is greatlly delighted by getting rid of her enemies.
It illustrates how adharma operates through fear and humiliation: Mantharā tries to replace truth with insecurity, pushing Kaikeyi toward unrighteous action.
Mantharā paints a degrading future for Kaikeyi if Rama is crowned, aiming to provoke her into opposing the coronation.
The targeted virtue is equanimity and discernment (viveka); Kaikeyi is pressured to abandon calm judgment.