Valmiki Ramayana 2.9.39: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 39
मन्थराप्रेरणा · वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
त्वमेव तु ममाऽर्थेषु नित्ययुक्ता हितैषिणी ॥३९॥
नाहं समवबुध्येयं कुब्जे राज्ञश्चिकीर्षितम् ।
tvam eva tu mamārtheṣu nitya-yuktā hitaiṣiṇī ||39||
na ahaṁ samavabudhyeyaṁ kubje rājñaś cikīrṣitam |
त्वमेव तु ममार्थेषु नित्ययुक्ता हितैषिणी। नाहं समवबुध्येयं कुब्जे राज्ञश्चिकीर्षितम्॥
O hunchback !you alone always show interest in my affairs and seek my welfare. I might not have known the intended (deceptive) action of the king (without you).
FAQs
It highlights the danger of confusing ‘personal welfare’ with dharma. True welfare aligns with righteousness and truth, not with suspicion and manipulation.
Kaikeyī credits Mantharā as her trusted adviser and accepts Mantharā’s interpretation of the king’s intentions.
Trustworthiness in counsel is being (mistakenly) attributed to Mantharā; the verse invites reflection on the virtue of choosing morally sound advisers.
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