मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
प्रपत्स्यते राज्यमिदं हि राघवोयदि ध्रुवं त्वं ससुता च तप्स्यसे।अतो हि कल्याणि यतस्व तत्तथायथा सुतस्ते भरतोऽभिषेक्ष्यते।।।।
prapatsyate rājyam idaṃ hi rāghavo yadi dhruvaṃ tvaṃ sasutā ca tapsyase | ato hi kalyāṇi yatasva tat tathā yathā sutas te bharato 'bhiṣekṣyate ||
Jika Rāghava benar-benar memperoleh kerajaan ini, niscaya engkau dan putramu akan menanggung derita. Maka, wahai wanita yang mulia, berusahalah sedemikian rupa agar putramu Bharata ditahbiskan (abhiseka) menjadi raja.
It is true that if Rama secures this kingdom, you along with your son are bound to suffer. O auspicious one, hence act in a way your son Bharata will be installed.
It shows how fear can be used to justify unrighteous acts; dharma demands fairness and truth, not decisions driven by insecurity and partisan advantage.
Mantharā predicts Kaikeyī’s future suffering under Rāma’s rule and urges immediate steps to ensure Bharata’s coronation.
Strategic foresight is invoked, but the dominant trait displayed is manipulative persuasion rather than a dharmic virtue.