Valmiki Ramayana 2.10.2 — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 10, Shloka 2

क्रोधागारप्रवेशः — Entry into the Chamber of Wrath

Kaikeyī’s Protest

Devanagari script

निश्चित्य मनसा कृत्यं सा सम्यगिति भामिनी।मन्थरायै शनैस्सर्वमाचचक्षे विचक्षणा।।।।

Transliteration

niścitya manasā kṛtyaṃ sā samyag iti bhāminī |

mantharāyai śanais sarvam ācacakṣe vicakṣaṇā ||

Translation

Ayant arrêté dans son esprit que son dessein était désormais bien fixé, la reine au cœur ardent confia, avec prudence et à voix basse, toute chose à Mantharā.

Word by Word

• niścitya: having decided
• niścitya: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ni-√ci (धातु)
• Form: Absolutive/Gerund (ल्यप्)

• manasā: with (her) mind
• manasā: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: manas (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Instrumental (3rd/तृतीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• kṛtyam: the plan/thing to be done
• kṛtyam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kṛtya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• sā: she
• sā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• samyak: properly
• samyak: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: samyak (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (प्रकारवाचक अव्यय)

• iti: thus
• iti: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: iti (अव्यय)
• Form: Quotative particle (इति-निपात)

• bhāminī: the lady (Kaikeyī)
• bhāminī: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhāminī (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन)

• mantharāyai: to Mantharā
• mantharāyai: Sampradāna (सम्प्रदान)
• Type: Noun
• Root: mantharā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Dative (4th/चतुर्थी), Singular (एकवचन)

• śanaiḥ: slowly
• śanaiḥ: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: śanaiḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: Adverb (मन्दतावाचक अव्यय)

• sarvam: everything
• sarvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sarva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Neuter (नपुंसकलिङ्ग), Accusative (2nd/द्वितीया), Singular (एकवचन)

• ācacakṣe: told/related
• ācacakṣe: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: ā-√cakṣ (धातु)
• Form: Perfect (लिट्), 3rd person (प्रथमपुरुष), Singular (एकवचन), Ātmanepada (आत्मनेपद)

• vicakṣaṇā: intelligent
• vicakṣaṇā: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: vicakṣaṇa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: Feminine (स्त्रीलिङ्ग), Nominative (1st/प्रथमा), Singular (एकवचन); qualifies bhāminī

Context

The intelligent, beautiful lady (Kaikeyi), having correctly decided the strategy in her mind, slowly unfolded everything to Manthara.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Mantharā

FAQs

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

It warns that ‘cleverness’ used to strengthen selfish desire becomes adharma; dharma requires deliberation to be aligned with truth, welfare, and rightful duty—not mere success of a scheme.

What is the narrative situation?

Kaikeyī, persuaded by Mantharā, finalizes her strategy and communicates it back to Mantharā in a controlled, deliberate manner.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Not virtue but a capability: Kaikeyī’s calculated resolve and strategic communication—presented as intelligence diverted toward an unrighteous end.