Shloka 2.9.37
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च (Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons)
सा हि वाक्येन कुब्जायाः किशोरीवोत्पथं गता।।।।कैकेयी विस्मयं प्राप्ता परं परमदर्शना।
anartham artha-rūpeṇa grāhitā sā tatas tayā |
hṛṣṭā pratītā kaikeyī mantharām idam abravīt ||
After Mantharā had made her accept a harmful plan as though it were beneficial, Kaikeyī—convinced and delighted—spoke these words to Mantharā.
That Kaikeyi, even though endowed with sound foresight, expressed her sense of wonder at the words of the hunchback and chose a wrong path like a young (immature) girl.
Adharma can appear as ‘artha’ (advantage). The verse underlines the need for discernment (viveka): ethical choices must be judged by truth and righteousness, not by persuasive framing.
Mantharā has successfully manipulated Kaikeyī; Kaikeyī now responds, pleased and persuaded by the deceptive counsel.
The virtue emphasized by absence is wisdom/discrimination: Kaikeyī’s failure to see ‘anartha’ as anartha becomes the turning point that threatens dharma in Ayodhyā.