Shloka 19
Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
“रानी कौसल्याका भाग्य अवश्य अच्छा है, जिनके पुत्रका राज्याभिषेक होगा। तुम्हारा ऐसा सौभाग्य कहाँ? जिसका पुत्र राज्यका अधिकारी ही नहीं है' ।।
rājñī kauśalyāyā bhāgyaṃ avaśyam acchaṃ hi yasyāḥ putrasya rājābhiṣeko bhaviṣyati | tava tādṛśaṃ saubhāgyaṃ kutaḥ? yasyāḥ putro rājya-adhikārī eva na asti || sā tad-vacanam ājñāya sarvābharaṇa-bhūṣitā | devī vilagna-madhyeva bibhratī rūpam uttamam ||
Disse Mārkaṇḍeya: “A fortuna da rainha Kausalyā é, sem dúvida, excelente, pois seu filho será consagrado ao reinado. Mas onde estaria para ti tal ventura, se teu filho não tem qualquer direito ao trono?” Ao ouvir as palavras de Mantharā, a rainha Kaikeyī—de cintura esguia e ornada com todas as joias—assumiu sua beleza mais cativante e foi, em segredo, ao encontro do marido. Seu sorriso deixava entrever a aparente pureza de sua afeição; rindo de leve e exibindo amor, começou a falar com voz doce.
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The passage highlights how envy and competitive comparison can be weaponized through persuasive speech, leading to ethically fraught political action. It implicitly warns that outward sweetness and ornamented charm may conceal calculated intent, and that dharma in royal succession is vulnerable to manipulation.
Mantharā provokes Kaikeyī by praising Kauśalyā’s fortune—her son’s impending coronation—while belittling Kaikeyī’s prospects by denying her son’s claim. Stirred by this, Kaikeyī adorns herself, composes an alluring demeanor, and goes privately to her husband to influence him with affectionate speech.