Shloka 16
Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
इति तद् राजवचन प्रतिश्रुत्याथ मन्थरा । कैकेयीमभिगम्येदं काले वचनमब्रवीत्,राजाकी यह बात मन्थराने भी सुन ली। वह ठीक समयपर कैकेयीके पास जाकर यों बोली--
iti tad rājavacanaṁ pratiśrutyātha mantharā | kaikeyīm abhigamyedaṁ kāle vacanam abravīt ||
かくして、王の言葉を聞き入れたマンタラー（Mantharā）は、機を見てカイケーイー（Kaikeyī）のもとへ赴き、時宜にかなった言葉を告げた。この偈は、道義の重みを帯びた転機を示す。意図して選ばれた時に交わされる密やかな進言が、王家の意向を別の方へ導き、ダルマ、家族の秩序、そして国土に及ぶ帰結を動かし始めるのである。
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how speech and counsel, especially when delivered with strategic timing (kāla), can reshape ethical outcomes. It implicitly warns that accepting or acting on words without discernment can trigger far-reaching consequences for dharma and social order.
After hearing the king’s words, Mantharā approaches Queen Kaikeyī at a calculated moment and begins to speak—setting up the persuasive conversation that will influence Kaikeyī’s decisions and alter the course of events.