Ayodhya Kand
Narration
Seventh Sarga —
When Mantharā heard the news of Shri Ram’s impending coronation, she became agitated and provoked Kaikeyi. But Kaikeyi, who was pleased, offered her ornaments as a gift and encouraged her to ask for a boon.
Kaikeyi had a maidservant who had come with her from her maiden home. This maid always stayed with Kaikeyi. No one knew where she was born, nor who her parents or her people were. One day before the coronation, she freely climbed up to the roof of Kaikeyi’s moon-like radiant palace. The name of that maid was Mantharā.
Standing on the terrace, she saw that the streets of Ayodhya had been sprinkled clean. Everywhere in the city lotus and blue water-lilies had been scattered. Precious flags and banners fluttered everywhere, enhancing the city’s former beauty. Chandan-mixed water had been sprinkled on the royal roads. The people of Ayodhya had applied unguents, bathed after pouring water over their heads, and were holding garlands and sweets given by Shri Ram. Distinguished Brahmins were joyously exclaiming. The doors of temples had been plastered with lime and sandal, making them pure and beautiful. Sweet sounds of all kinds of musical instruments filled the air. The entire city was full of delighted people, and the chanting of Vedic recitations echoed in all directions. Noble elephants and horses looked joyful, and cows and bulls were lowing happily. All the townspeople were thrilled, their bodies bristling with joy, and high, orderly rows of wonderful banners fluttered everywhere.
Seeing such splendid beauty of Ayodhya, Mantharā was astonished. On a nearby rooftop she saw Ram’s wet-nurse standing, her eyes glowing with happiness, dressed in a yellow silk sari. Seeing her, Mantharā asked, “Nurse, why is Shri Ram’s mother distributing wealth to everyone today with such joy? Why are people so happy everywhere? Tell me the cause. Today King Dasharatha looks extremely pleased—what ceremony is he going to perform?”
Ram’s nurse could hardly contain her joy. Hearing Mantharā’s question, she happily replied, “Mantharā, Raghunathji is going to receive great fortune! Tomorrow, under the Pushya constellation, King Dasharatha will consecrate the sinless Raghukulanandan Shri Ram—who has conquered anger—as the crown prince.”
Hearing these words, Mantharā’s heart trembled. She came down at once from that palace as bright and towering as Mount Kailash. To Mantharā, this appeared unfavorable for Kaikeyi. Burning with anger, she approached Kaikeyi—who was lying down—and said, “Foolish one, arise! What are you sleeping for? A great danger is coming upon you. A mountain of calamity has fallen on you, and you don’t even perceive your miserable condition!
“Your beloved husband comes before you with such an appearance, as though he dedicates all fortune to you. But behind your back he is planning your ruin. Thinking that he is devoted to you, you foolishly rejoice in your prosperity—but like a river drying in summer, that fortune is slipping away from your hands.”
Hearing these harsh words filled with anger and showing misfortune within fortune, Kaikeyi’s heart felt great sorrow. The princess Kaikeyi asked Mantharā, “Mantharā, has something inauspicious happened? Your face shows distress. You seem deeply troubled.”
Mantharā, skilled in speech, upon hearing Kaikeyi’s words, grew even more enraged. Pretending concern, she inflamed Kaikeyi’s mind and created suspicion and grief against Shri Ram. She said, “Devi, the destruction of your immense fortune has begun—an event that cannot be countered. Tomorrow King Dasharatha will consecrate Shri Ram as crown prince. Hearing this, I am overcome with grief and fear. A sea of dread has engulfed me. Burned by anxiety, I have come to tell you this for your welfare. If sorrow comes upon you, I will suffer greatly as well. Your rise is my rise; there is no doubt.
“Devi, you were born in a royal family and are queen of a king—how do you not understand the harshness of royal duties? Your husband speaks constantly of dharma but is cunning and speaks smooth words while his heart is cruel. Thinking his words sincere, you have been terribly deceived today. He comes only to pacify you falsely, but now he is enriching Queen Kausalya instead. He has sent your son Bharata away to your family home, and tomorrow morning he will give the unobstructed kingdom of Ayodhya to Shri Ram.
“You nurtured him like a mother nurtures a child—but the one you call husband has proved a real enemy. Just as an ignorant person raises a snake in her lap, you have kept in your embrace a king who behaves like a serpent. A neglected enemy—or a serpent—cannot act otherwise. Today King Dasharatha has treated you and your son like that.”
She continued, “You—fit to enjoy happiness—are instead being thrown into ruin by your husband, who harbors wicked intentions while pretending affection. Knowing he intends to place Shri Ram on the throne, he has pushed you and your relatives into the jaws of death. Princess, even after hearing such painful news, you look at me as though you rejoice and are surprised at my words. Abandon this wonder and quickly do what must be done. Protect yourself, your son, and even me.”
Hearing Mantharā’s words, the beautiful Kaikeyi immediately rose from her bed. Her heart filled with delight; she shone like the full autumn moon. Deeply pleased and amazed, Kaikeyi smiled and gave Mantharā a beautiful divine ornament as a reward. Giving the ornament joyfully, the jewel among women, Kaikeyi, said, “Mantharā, this is truly a pleasing message you have brought me. What more can I give you? I see no difference between Shri Ram and Bharata. So hearing that the king will consecrate Shri Ram has made me happy. Mantharā, you deserve dear gifts. No words could be more sweet or nectar-like than this news about Shri Ram’s coronation. Since you have brought such delightful news, now ask for any excellent boon—I shall grant it.”
Eighth Sarga —
Mantharā again portrayed Shri Ram’s coronation as harmful for Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi praised Shri Ram’s virtues and supported the coronation, but Mantharā again incited her by calling it dangerous for Bharata.
Hearing Kaikeyi’s cheerful words, Mantharā insulted her, threw away the ornament Kaikeyi had given, and, filled with anger and sorrow, said, “Rani, you are foolish! Why did you express joy at such a time? How can you be pleased where you should grieve? You are drowning in an ocean of misfortune yet unaware of your condition.
“A co-wife’s son is an enemy. For a stepmother, he is like death itself. Which intelligent woman would rejoice seeing her rival’s son being crowned? This kingdom is equally the property of both Bharata and Ram; each has a right to it. Therefore Ram fears Bharata. One who fears will, after gaining power, uproot the source of that fear.
“Lakshman is entirely devoted to Ram; similarly Shatrughna follows Bharata. By birth order, after Ram, Bharata has the rightful claim to the throne. Therefore Ram naturally fears him. Lakshman and Shatrughna are younger; their chance at kingship is far. Ram knows all scriptures, especially the political duties of a Kshatriya, and acts according to proper time. Thinking of how cruelly he will treat your son—that thought makes me tremble.
“Kausalya alone is fortunate. Tomorrow, under Pushya, her son will be consecrated as crown prince. When Ram gets the unobstructed kingdom of the earth, she will rejoice. She is the king’s trusted one. You will stand with folded hands like a maidservant, serving her. You too will become Kausalya’s servant, and your son Bharata will have to serve Ram.”
She added, “Sita and the other beautiful women of Ram’s inner chambers will rejoice, while your daughters-in-law will drown in grief. Seeing you behaving so childishly pains me. You are rejoicing over your own destruction.
“Ram will rule over the entire earth; then you and your Bharata will be reduced to misery. When Ram has secured the world, your son will be almost destroyed. Think of a way by which your son becomes king and the enemy Ram is exiled to the forest.”
Hearing this, Kaikeyi’s face flushed with anger. She took a deep breath and said, “I will send Ram to the forest at once, and make Bharata the crown prince immediately. But tell me—by what means can this be done? How can Bharata get the kingdom while Ram is prevented from obtaining it?”
Mantharā, showing a sinful path and striking at Ram’s interest, said, “Kaikeyi, listen. I will tell you how only Bharata will receive the kingdom and Ram will not. Do you not remember—or are you hiding it—that you once told me repeatedly about two boons given to you? If you insist on hearing it from me, then listen.”
Hearing this, Kaikeyi arose from her perfectly made bed and said, “Tell me the means by which Bharata will get the kingdom and Ram will not.”
Mantharā replied, “Long ago, during the war between gods and demons, your husband the king took you with him to aid Indra. In the southern region, inside Dandakaranya, there was a city named Vaijayanta where a great Asura named Shambara lived. He bore the emblem of a fish on his flag and knew hundreds of magical arts. Even the gods could not defeat him.
“One day he waged war against Indra. At night, when exhausted warriors slept, his demons dragged them from their beds and killed them. King Dasharatha fought fiercely there. In that battle, the demons shattered his body. When his consciousness began to fade, you, acting as his charioteer, carried him to safety. When he was attacked again, you rescued him once more. Pleased, he offered you two boons. You told him you would claim them when you wished. He agreed.
“You told me this story earlier. Since then, remembering your affection, I have kept it in my heart.
“Use those two boons now. Ask the king for two things:
The coronation of Bharata.
The fourteen-year exile of Shri Ram.
“When Ram goes to the forest for fourteen years, Bharata will win the hearts of the people and firmly establish his rule. Kaikeyi, wear soiled garments, go to the anger-chamber, lie on the bare ground, turn your face away from the king, weep loudly, and refuse to look at him. Dasharatha loves you deeply. He cannot bear to see you angry. He will give his life to please you.
“When he begs you to ask for a boon, remind him of the two boons he owes you. Ask for Ram’s exile and Bharata’s coronation. Once Ram leaves for the forest, Bharata will grow strong inside and outside. By the time Ram returns, Bharata will be immovable. For Bharata’s sake, you must ask for Ram’s exile.”
Mantharā’s poisonous counsel confused Kaikeyi’s intelligence, making evil seem like good. Kaikeyi believed her and became pleased. Though intelligent, she acted like a naive girl, ready for wrongdoing. She said, “Mantharā, you are wise. I will not disregard your counsel. You alone are truly concerned for my welfare. If not for you, I would never understand the king’s schemes.”
Kaikeyi praised Mantharā’s form and cunning, promising rich ornaments and adornments once Bharata became king and Ram left for the forest. Urged again by Mantharā, Kaikeyi threw aside ornaments worth lakhs, removed all her jewels, and went to the anger-chamber. Lying on the bare floor, she said, “I desire neither gold nor jewels nor food. If Ram is crowned, my life is over. Either Ram must go to the forest and Bharata receive the kingdom—or you may tell the king I am dead.”
Mantharā’s cruel words struck Kaikeyi again and again like arrows. Deeply troubled, Kaikeyi said, “Either Ram must go to the forest for long, and Bharata’s wish succeed, or you must inform the king that I am gone. If Ram is not exiled, I will neither sleep on beds nor use flowers nor sandal nor food. I will not live.”
Saying such harsh words, she removed all her ornaments and lay on the bare ground. In that state, she looked like a celestial nymph fallen from heaven to earth—her face darkened by intense anger, bereft of garlands and jewels, lying low like a sky covered in darkness with its stars gone.