Valmiki Ramayana 2.9.52: Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9, Shloka 52
मन्थराप्रेरणा · वरद्वय-स्मरणं च
Manthara’s Provocation and the Recalling of Two Boons
तवापि कुब्जाः कुब्जायास्सर्वाभरणभूषिताः ।
पादौ परिचरिष्यन्ति यथैव त्वं सदा मम ॥५२॥
tavāpi kubjāḥ kubjāyāḥ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ |
pādau paricariṣyanti yathaiva tvaṃ sadā mama ||52||
ఓ కుబ్జే! నీ పాదాలను కూడా ఇతర కుబ్జలు, సమస్త ఆభరణాలతో అలంకరించబడి, సేవిస్తారు—నీవు ఎల్లప్పుడూ నా పాదాలను సేవించినట్లే।
Other hunchbacks adorned with all sorts of ornament shall also serve you in the same manner as you are serving me.
FAQs
The verse shows how power can distort values: service becomes a currency for domination rather than care. Dharma teaches humility and responsibility, not prideful reversal.
Kaikeyī promises Mantharā a future of elevated status where others will serve her as she has served Kaikeyī.
The desired trait is not virtue but superiority; it contrasts with the epic’s ideal of dignified service grounded in devotion and righteousness.
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