Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 36
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
अनर्थमर्थरूपेण ग्राहिता सा ततस्तया।।।।हृष्टा प्रतीता कैकेयी मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत्।
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.
FAQs
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.