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 ||
Assim, tendo ouvido e acatado as palavras do rei, Mantharā foi ao encontro de Kaikeyī no momento oportuno e falou-lhe. O verso assinala um ponto de viragem moralmente carregado: um conselho privado, deliberadamente cronometrado, que desviará a intenção régia e porá em marcha consequências para o dharma, a ordem familiar e o reino.
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.