Shloka 16
Sāvitrī’s Report and Nārada’s Prognosis (सावित्र्याख्यान—सत्यवान्-गुणवर्णनं तथा अल्पायुषः पूर्वसूचना)
इति तद् राजवचन प्रतिश्रुत्याथ मन्थरा । कैकेयीमभिगम्येदं काले वचनमब्रवीत्,राजाकी यह बात मन्थराने भी सुन ली। वह ठीक समयपर कैकेयीके पास जाकर यों बोली--
iti tad rājavacanaṁ pratiśrutyātha mantharā | kaikeyīm abhigamyedaṁ kāle vacanam abravīt ||
于是，曼陀罗（Mantharā）听罢并应承了国王之言，便在恰当的时机前往觐见凯凯伊（Kaikeyī），对她说出了这番话。此偈铺陈一处带着强烈道德张力的转折：一段刻意择时的私下进言，将改转王室意向，并引发关于法（dharma）、家族秩序与国度的连锁后果。
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse highlights how speech and counsel, especially when delivered with strategic timing (kāla), can reshape ethical outcomes. It implicitly warns that accepting or acting on words without discernment can trigger far-reaching consequences for dharma and social order.
After hearing the king’s words, Mantharā approaches Queen Kaikeyī at a calculated moment and begins to speak—setting up the persuasive conversation that will influence Kaikeyī’s decisions and alter the course of events.