Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 62
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
तथाऽतिविद्धा महिषी तु कुब्जयासमाहता वागिषुभिर्मुहुर्मुहुः।निधायहस्तौ हृदयेऽतिविस्मिताशशंस कुब्जां कुपिता पुनः पुनः।।।।
tathātividdhā mahiṣī tu kubjayā samāhatā vāg-iṣubhir muhur muhuḥ | nidhāya hastau hṛdaye 'tivismitā śaśaṃsa kubjāṃ kupitā punaḥ punaḥ ||
Demikianlah sang permaisuri, tertusuk dalam oleh kata-kata si bungkuk yang laksana anak panah, dihantam berulang-ulang. Dengan takjub ia meletakkan kedua tangan di dadanya; lalu, tersulut amarah, ia memuji si bungkuk berkali-kali.
Repeatedly struck down by that hunchback's arrow-sharp words greatly grieved queen Kaikeyi was inflamed against the king. Laying her hands on the chest again and again and expressing her amazement, she praised that hunchback.
FAQs
It warns that anger and agitation can invert moral judgment—leading one to praise harmful counsel. Dharma requires steadiness and careful evaluation of advice.
Kaikeyī is emotionally overwhelmed by Mantharā’s repeated provocations; she internalizes them and responds with astonishment and heated approval.
The verse emphasizes susceptibility and emotional volatility; it implicitly contrasts with the Ramayana ideal of self-control and calm discernment.