Ramayana — Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 7, Shloka 25

मन्थराप्रवेशः

Manthara Observes Ayodhya and Incites Kaikeyi

Devanagari script

उपस्थितः प्रयुञ्जानस्त्वयि सान्त्वमनर्थकम्।अर्थेनैवाद्य ते भर्ता कौसल्यां योजयिष्यति।।।।

Transliteration

upasthitaḥ prayuñjānas tvayi sāntvam anarthakam | arthenaivādya te bhartā kausalyāṃ yojayiṣyati ||

Translation

纵然他来到你面前，只献上徒然的安慰之辞；但在今日，你的夫君却要把真正的利益只归于憍萨利耶（Kausalyā）。

Word by Word

• upasthitaḥ: having approached, present
• upasthitaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier of bhartā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: upa-√sthā (धातु) + kta (कृत्)
• Form: कृदन्त (past participle/क्त), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘having approached/being present’

• prayuñjānaḥ: employing, using
• prayuñjānaḥ: Karta (कर्ता) (qualifier of bhartā)
• Type: Verb
• Root: pra-√yuj (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (वर्तमान कृदन्त/शतृ), पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; ‘employing/applying’

• tvayi: towards you, in your case
• tvayi: Adhikaraṇa (अधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, सप्तमी, एकवचन

• sāntvam: conciliation, appeasing words
• sāntvam: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: sāntva (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• anarthakam: meaningless, futile
• anarthakam: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: anarthaka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन; विशेषण (sāntvam)

• arthena: by advantage, with benefit
• arthena: Karaṇa (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: artha (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया, एकवचन

• eva: indeed, only
• eva: Avadhāraṇa (अवधारण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: eva (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (emphasis)

• adya: today, now
• adya: Kāla-adhikaraṇa (कालाधिकरण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: adya (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय (adverb of time)

• te: your
• te: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Noun
• Root: tvad (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: सर्वनाम, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• bhartā: husband
• bhartā: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: bhartṛ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• kausalyām: Kausalyā
• kausalyām: Karma (कर्म) (object of yojayiṣyati)
• Type: Noun
• Root: kausalyā (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, द्वितीया, एकवचन

• yojayiṣyati: will assign/attach, will favor (with advantage)
• yojayiṣyati: Kriyā (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: yuj (धातु)
• Form: णिच् (causative) + लृट् (future), परस्मैपद, प्रथमपुरुष, एकवचन

Context

When your husband approaches you he swears in meaningless, appeasing words. But today he is going to bestow benefit on Kausalya only.

Characters & Entities

• Mantharā
• Kaikeyī
• Daśaratha
• Kausalyā

FAQs

What is the core ethical principle (Dharma) in this verse?

It contrasts empty speech with meaningful action; dharma values truthful intent and fair conduct over mere soothing words.

What is the narrative situation?

Mantharā claims Kaikeyī is being placated while Kausalyā receives the true benefit through Rāma’s elevation.

Which character virtue is emphasized?

Justice/fairness is the implied standard—used here as a grievance to provoke Kaikeyī.