Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 4
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
एवमुक्ता तया देव्या मन्थरा पापदर्शिनी।रामार्थमुपहिंसन्ती कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत्।।।।
evam uktā tayā devyā mantharā pāpa-darśinī |
rāmārtham upahiṁsantī kaikeyīm idam abravīt ||
Setelah demikian diucapkan oleh Ratu Kaikeyī, Mantharā—berpandangan jahat—berkata kepada Kaikeyī kata-kata ini, dengan niat mencelakakan urusan Rāma.
Thus, having been made to accept the evil design as a beneficial objective, Kaikeyi understood (the entire matter) and in delight spoke to Manthara.
FAQs
The verse warns that adharma often begins with intention: when speech is driven by malice and envy, it becomes a force that harms the righteous (here, Rāma’s rightful cause).
Kaikeyī has engaged Mantharā in conversation; the narration signals that Mantharā is about to deliver a manipulative speech aimed at obstructing Rāma.
By contrast (implicitly), Rāma’s dharmic legitimacy is highlighted—his “interest/cause” is something that can be harmed only through deceit and intrigue.