Valmiki Ramayana 2.9.18: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 18

मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च

Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons

Devanagari script

अनभिज्ञाम्ह्यहं देवि त्वयैव कथिता पुरा।।।।कथैषा तव तु स्नेहान्मनसा धार्यते मया।रामाभिषेकसम्भारान्निगृह्य विनिवर्तय।।।।

Sanskrit recitationValmiki Ramayana 2.9.18

Transliteration

anabhijñā hy ahaṃ devi tvayaiva kathitā purā ||

kathaiṣā tava tu snehān manasā dhāryate mayā |

rāmābhiṣeka-sambhārān nigṛhya vinivartaya ||

Translation

ಹೇ ದೇವಿ! ನಾನು ಈ ವಿಷಯವನ್ನು ತಿಳಿದಿರಲಿಲ್ಲ; ನೀನೇ ಹಿಂದೆ ನನಗೆ ಹೇಳಿದ್ದೆ. ಆದರೂ ನಿನ್ನ ಮೇಲಿನ ಸ्नेಹದಿಂದ ನಾನು ಇದನ್ನು ಮನಸ್ಸಿನಲ್ಲಿ ಧರಿಸಿಕೊಂಡಿದ್ದೆ. ಈಗ ರಾಮನ ಅಭಿಷೇಕದ ಸಿದ್ಧತೆಗಳನ್ನು ಬಲವಂತವಾಗಿ ತಡೆದು ಹಿಂದಿರುಗಿಸು.

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Word by Word

• तौ: those two
• तौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: तद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), द्विवचन; ‘वरौ’ विशेषणम्

• वरौ: two boons
• वरौ: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), द्विवचन

• याच: ask/beg
• याच: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: याच् (धातु)
• Form: लोट्-लकार (Imperative), परस्मैपदम्, मध्यमपुरुष, एकवचन

• भर्तारम्: (your) husband
• भर्तारम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भर्तृ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• भरतस्य: of Bharata
• भरतस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: भरत (प्रातिपदिक; व्यक्तिनाम)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• अभिषेचनम्: consecration/installation
• अभिषेचनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अभिषेचन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), एकवचन

• प्रव्राजनम्: banishment
• प्रव्राजनम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: प्र-√व्रज् (धातु)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; action noun ‘banishment’

• च: and
• च: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: च (अव्यय)
• Form: समुच्चयार्थक-अव्यय (conjunction)

• रामस्य: of Rama
• रामस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: राम (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति (Genitive/सम्बन्ध), एकवचन

• त्वम्: you
• त्वम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: युष्मद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: प्रथमा-विभक्ति (Nominative/कर्ता), एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• वर्षाणि: years
• वर्षाणि: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वर्ष (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति (Accusative/कर्म), बहुवचन; कालपरिमाण (duration)

• चतुर्दश: fourteen
• चतुर्दश: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: चतुर्दश (संख्या-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: अव्ययवत् संख्या (indeclinable-like numeral) qualifying ‘वर्षाणि’

Context

O queen I did not know this indeed. Only you had related it to me earlier. Because of my affection towards you, I have retained it in my memory. (Now) prevent preparations for Rama's consecration by force.

Characters & Entities

• Kaikeyī
• Rāma
• abhiṣeka (consecration)

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It warns how ‘affection’ can be misused as justification for unethical action; true dharma requires restraint, truthfulness, and non-harm, not coercion for political ends.

What is the narrative situation?

Mantharā reminds Kaikeyī of an earlier conversation and urges her to obstruct Rāma’s coronation preparations by force.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

The verse primarily showcases the absence of virtue—strategic persuasion and coercive intent—serving as a negative ethical example.