Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 42
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
परिपूर्णं तु जघनं सुपीनौ च पयोधरौ।।।।विमलेन्दुसमं वक्त्रमहोराजसि मन्थरे।
paripūrṇaṁ tu jaghanaṁ supīnau ca payodharau |
vimalendu-samaṁ vaktram aho rājasi manthare ||
Pinggulmu penuh, dan payudaramu bulat serta kencang; wajahmu laksana bulan yang bening tanpa noda—betapa bercahayanya engkau, wahai Mantharā.
You have full hips, round and plump breasts. Your countenance equals the bright moon. How passionate you look, Manthara!
FAQs
The verse serves as a cautionary example: ethical decline can be accompanied by indulgent praise and loss of principled focus, moving away from satya-centered judgment.
Kaikeyī, pleased with Mantharā’s counsel, continues to flatter her with ornate compliments.
The implied virtue is integrity of mind: keeping one’s priorities aligned with dharma rather than emotional gratification.