Shloka 2.9.62
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च (Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons)
तथाऽतिविद्धा महिषी तु कुब्जयासमाहता वागिषुभिर्मुहुर्मुहुः।निधायहस्तौ हृदयेऽतिविस्मिताशशंस कुब्जां कुपिता पुनः पुनः।।।।
tathātividdhā mahiṣī tu kubjayā samāhatā vāg-iṣubhir muhur muhuḥ | nidhāya hastau hṛdaye 'tivismitā śaśaṃsa kubjāṃ kupitā punaḥ punaḥ ||
Thus, deeply pierced—struck again and again by the hunchback’s arrow-like words—the queen, amazed, placed her hands upon her chest; and, inflamed, she praised the hunchback repeatedly.
Repeatedly struck down by that hunchback's arrow-sharp words greatly grieved queen Kaikeyi was inflamed against the king. Laying her hands on the chest again and again and expressing her amazement, she praised that hunchback.
It warns that anger and agitation can invert moral judgment—leading one to praise harmful counsel. Dharma requires steadiness and careful evaluation of advice.
Kaikeyī is emotionally overwhelmed by Mantharā’s repeated provocations; she internalizes them and responds with astonishment and heated approval.
The verse emphasizes susceptibility and emotional volatility; it implicitly contrasts with the Ramayana ideal of self-control and calm discernment.