Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 7, Shloka 15
मन्थराप्रवेशः
Manthara Observes Ayodhya and Incites Kaikeyi
अनिष्टे सुभगाकारे सौभाग्येन विकत्थसे।चलं हि तव सौभाग्यं नद्यास्स्रोत इवोष्णगे।।।।
aniṣṭe subhagākāre saubhāgyena vikatthase | calaṃ hi tava saubhāgyaṃ nadyās srota ivōṣṇage ||
Hỡi kẻ thật chẳng được yêu, tuy mang dáng vẻ của bậc vương phi được sủng ái—ngươi lại khoe khoang phúc phần. Nhưng “phúc” của ngươi vốn bấp bênh, như dòng sông giữa nắng hạ.
At these harsh words of the furious, evil-eyed hunchback Kaikeyi fell into great despondency.
FAQs
It warns against unethical speech that breeds distrust: slander and insinuation corrode dharma by breaking bonds of loyalty and truth (satya) within the family and court.
Mantharā attacks Kaikeyī’s sense of security, claiming her status and favor are unstable to push her toward rash action.
The virtue implied is humility and clear-sightedness; Mantharā instead exploits pride and insecurity, showing how vanity can be weaponized.