Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 48
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
जात्येन च सुवर्णेन सुनिष्टप्तेन मन्थरे।।।।लब्धार्था च प्रतीता च लेपयिष्यामि ते स्थगु।
jātyena ca suvarṇena suniṣṭaptena manthare |
labdhārthā ca pratītā ca lepayiṣyāmi te sthagu ||
ಹೇ ಮಂಥರೇ, ಶುದ್ಧ ಜಾತಿಸುವರ್ಣವನ್ನು ಚೆನ್ನಾಗಿ ಕರಗಿಸಿ ಶೋಧಿಸಿದ ಅತ್ಯುತ್ತಮ ಬಂಗಾರದಿಂದ—ನನ್ನ ಉದ್ದೇಶ ಸಿದ್ಧವಾಗಿ ನಾನು ತೃಪ್ತಳಾದಾಗ—ನಿನ್ನ ಕುಬ್ಬಿಗೆ ಲೇಪನ ಮಾಡುವೆನು.
O Manthara, I shall get a tilaka made of gold for your auspicious, lovely face and shall also order exquisite ornaments (for you).
FAQs
The verse illustrates how greed and reward can motivate unethical action. Dharma emphasizes counsel given for righteousness, not for payment or personal gain.
Kaikeyī promises lavish, even extravagant, rewards to Mantharā to secure her continued support in the plot.
The absence of virtue is underscored—material inducement replaces moral discernment, showing how desire can eclipse satya and fairness.