Shloka 18
मन्थराप्रेरणा—वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
अनभिज्ञाम्ह्यहं देवि त्वयैव कथिता पुरा।।।।कथैषा तव तु स्नेहान्मनसा धार्यते मया।रामाभिषेकसम्भारान्निगृह्य विनिवर्तय।।।।
anabhijñā hy ahaṃ devi tvayaiva kathitā purā ||
kathaiṣā tava tu snehān manasā dhāryate mayā |
rāmābhiṣeka-sambhārān nigṛhya vinivartaya ||
హే దేవీ! నేను నిజంగా దీనిని తెలియని వాడిని; ఈ విషయాన్ని నీవే ముందే చెప్పావు. అయినా నీపై స్నేహంతో నేను మనసులో దాచుకున్నాను. ఇప్పుడు రామాభిషేకానికి చేసిన ఏర్పాట్లను అణచి నిలిపివేయి.
O queen I did not know this indeed. Only you had related it to me earlier. Because of my affection towards you, I have retained it in my memory. (Now) prevent preparations for Rama's consecration by force.
FAQs
It warns how ‘affection’ can be misused as justification for unethical action; true dharma requires restraint, truthfulness, and non-harm, not coercion for political ends.
Mantharā reminds Kaikeyī of an earlier conversation and urges her to obstruct Rāma’s coronation preparations by force.
The verse primarily showcases the absence of virtue—strategic persuasion and coercive intent—serving as a negative ethical example.