Shloka 2.9.57

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

Devanagari script

तथा प्रोत्साहिता देवी गत्वा मन्थरया सह।क्रोधागारं विशालाक्षी सौभाग्यमदगर्विता।।2.9.55।।अनेकशतसाहस्रं मुक्ताहारं वराङ्गना।अवमुच्य वरार्हाणि शुभान्याभरणानि च।।2.9.56।।ततो हेमोपमा तत्र कुब्जावाक्यवशं गता।संविश्य भूमौ कैकेयी मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत्।।2.9.57।।

Transliteration

tato hemopamā tatra kubjā-vākya-vaśaṃ gatā | saṃviśya bhūmau kaikeyī mantharām idam abravīt ||

Translation

Then Kaikeyī—golden in radiance, yet now swayed by the hunchback’s words—lay down there upon the ground and spoke to Mantharā as follows:

Context

That beautiful, largeeyed 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 goldenhued Kaikeyi lay down on the floor and said to Manthara:

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Mantharā

FAQs

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

Dharma requires discernment (viveka) and right counsel; surrendering one’s will to harmful persuasion is portrayed as a moral and political failing.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī assumes a posture of protest in the Chamber of Wrath and prepares to articulate demands shaped by Mantharā’s instigation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

A warning about the loss of autonomy: susceptibility to manipulation is highlighted rather than any virtue.