Shloka 2.9.55

मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च (Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons)

Devanagari script

तथा प्रोत्साहिता देवी गत्वा मन्थरया सह।क्रोधागारं विशालाक्षी सौभाग्यमदगर्विता।।।।अनेकशतसाहस्रं मुक्ताहारं वराङ्गना।अवमुच्य वरार्हाणि शुभान्याभरणानि च।।।।ततो हेमोपमा तत्र कुब्जावाक्यवशं गता।संविश्य भूमौ कैकेयी मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत्।।।।

Transliteration

tathā protsāhitā devī gatvā mantharayā saha | krodhāgāraṃ viśālākṣī saubhāgyamada-garvitā ||

Translation

Thus urged on, the queen—large-eyed and intoxicated with pride in her good fortune—went with Mantharā into the Chamber of Wrath.

Context

That beautiful, large-eyed Kaikeyi, puffed with the pride of her intoxicating beauty, encourged and influenced by the words of that hunchback, entered the chamber of wrath. She cast off her highly precious pearl necklace worth many hundreds of thousands (of rupees) and other costly, beautiful ornaments. Thereafter that golden-hued Kaikeyi lay down on the floor and said to Manthara:

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Mantharā
• Krodhāgāra (Chamber of Wrath)

FAQs

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

It shows how pride and vanity cloud discernment; dharma requires inner restraint (dama) and clarity before acting, especially in matters that affect many.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī, stirred up by Mantharā, proceeds to the traditional royal space used to signal displeasure and force attention—the Chamber of Wrath.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

A cautionary inverse: the absence of humility and self-control; the verse foregrounds how ‘mada’ (intoxicated pride) drives harmful choices.