Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 3
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
इदं त्विदानीं सम्पश्य केनोपायेन मन्थरे।भरतः प्राप्नुयाद्राज्यं न तु रामः कथञ्चन।।।।
idaṃ tv idānīṃ sampaśya kenopāyena manthare | bharataḥ prāpnuyād rājyaṃ na tu rāmaḥ kathañcana ||
Sekarang pikirkanlah ini, wahai Mantharā: dengan upaya apakah Bharata dapat memperoleh kerajaan, dan Rāma sama sekali tidak, dengan cara apa pun?
O Manthara! now see, for sure, Bharata and not Rama will get the kingdom by anymeans.
FAQs
It exposes the ethical deviation where personal desire overrides fairness; dharma in kingship requires impartial succession norms, not intrigue driven by favoritism.
Having been provoked by Mantharā, Kaikeyī begins actively plotting to prevent Rāma’s coronation and secure the throne for Bharata.
A negative trait is foregrounded—jealousy/attachment—showing how lack of self-control undermines dharmic judgment.