निश्चित्य मनसा कृत्यं सा सम्यगिति भामिनी।मन्थरायै शनैस्सर्वमाचचक्षे विचक्षणा।।।।
niścitya manasā kṛtyaṃ sā samyag iti bhāminī |
mantharāyai śanais sarvam ācacakṣe vicakṣaṇā ||
Утвердив в уме, что её замысел верно устроен, пылкая царица осторожно и тихо поведала Мантаре всё до конца.
The intelligent, beautiful lady (Kaikeyi), having correctly decided the strategy in her mind, slowly unfolded everything to Manthara.
It warns that ‘cleverness’ used to strengthen selfish desire becomes adharma; dharma requires deliberation to be aligned with truth, welfare, and rightful duty—not mere success of a scheme.
Kaikeyī, persuaded by Mantharā, finalizes her strategy and communicates it back to Mantharā in a controlled, deliberate manner.
Not virtue but a capability: Kaikeyī’s calculated resolve and strategic communication—presented as intelligence diverted toward an unrighteous end.