Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 39
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
त्वमेव तु ममाऽर्थेषु नित्ययुक्ता हितैषिणी।।।।नाहं समवबुध्येयं कुब्जे राज्ञश्चिकीर्षितम्।
tvam eva tu mamārtheṣu nitya-yuktā hitaiṣiṇī |
na ahaṁ samavabudhyeyaṁ kubje rājñaś cikīrṣitam ||
おお、せむしの女よ。そなたこそ常に我が事に心を配り、我が益を願う者。そなたなくしては、王が何を企てるのか私は悟れなかったであろう。
Thus addressed by queen Kaikeyi, that evil minded Manthara said this to Kaikeyi in order to spoil the interest of Rama:
FAQs
It highlights the danger of confusing ‘personal welfare’ with dharma. True welfare aligns with righteousness and truth, not with suspicion and manipulation.
Kaikeyī credits Mantharā as her trusted adviser and accepts Mantharā’s interpretation of the king’s intentions.
Trustworthiness in counsel is being (mistakenly) attributed to Mantharā; the verse invites reflection on the virtue of choosing morally sound advisers.