ज्ञातिदासी यतो जाता कैकेय्या तु सहोषिता | प्रासादं चन्द्रसङ्काशमारुरोह यदृच्छया || २-७-१
GYAtidAsI yato jAtA kaikeyyA tu sahoShitA | prAsAda.n chandrasa~NkAshamAruroha yadR^ichchhayA || 2-7-1
Manthara, a housemaid who was residing with Kaikeyi since her birth, accidentally ascended the balcony of Kaikeyi's white palace, which resembled the full moon.
सिक्तराजपथां कृत्स्नां प्रकीर्णकुसुमोत्कराम् | अयोध्यां मन्थरा तस्मात्प्रासादादन्ववैक्षत || २-७-२
siktarAjapathA.n kR^itsnAM prakIrNakusumotkarAm | ayodhyAM mantharA tasmAtprAsAdAdanvavaikShata || 2-7-2
Manthara, from that balcony, saw the entire city of Ayodhya, with all its principal roads being sprinkled with water and strewn with heaps of flowers.
पताकाभिर्वरार्हाभिर्ध्वजैश्च समलङ्कृताम् | वृतां चंदपथैश्चापि शिरःस्नातजनैर्वृताम् || २-७-३ माल्यमोदकहस्तैश्च द्विजेन्द्रैरभिनादिताम् | शुक्लदेवगृहद्वारां सर्ववादित्रनिस्वनाम्|| २-७-४ संप्रहृष्टजनाकीर्णां ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादिताम् | प्रहृष्टवरहस्त्यश्वां संप्रणर्धितगोवृशाम् ||२-७-५ प्रहृउष्टमुदितैः पौरैरुच्च्रि तद्वजमालिनीम् | अयोध्यां वन्थरा तस्मात्प्रासादादन्ववैक्षत|| २-७-६
patAkAbhirvarArhAbhirdhvajaishcha samala~NkR^itAm | vR^itAM chaMdapathaishchaapi shiraHsnAtajanairvR^itAm || 2-7-3 maalyamodakahastaishcha dvijendrairabhinaaditaam | shukladevagR^ihadvaaraaM sarvavaaditranisvanaam|| 2-7-4 saMprahR^ishhTajanaakiirNaaM brahmaghoshhaabhinaaditaam | prahR^ishhTavarahastyashvaaM saMpraNardhitagovR^ishaam ||2-7-5 prahR^iushhTamuditaiH paurairuchchri tadvajamaaliniim | ayodhyaaM vantharaa tasmaatpraasaadaadanvavaikshata|| 2-7-6
Manthara further saw from that balcony the city decorated with the best of flags and banners. The roads were cleared for uninterrupted traffic. All the people took head-bath. Brahmans with flowers and sweets in their hands were chanting Mantras. The gateways of temples were white washed. There were sounds of all musical instruments. The city was filled with rejoicing people and resounding chant of Vedas. The elephants and horses were also merry. The bulls were making roaring noise. The highly delighted citizens hoisted rows of flags on their housetops.
प्रहर्षोत्फुल्लनयनां पाण्डुरक्षौमवासिनीम् | अविदूरे स्थितां दृष्ट्वा धात्रीं पप्रच्छ मन्थरा || २-७-७
vidiiryamaaNaa harshheNa dhaatrii tu parayaa mudaa | aachachakshe.atha kubjaayai bhuuyasiiM raaghavashriyam || 2-7-10
Manthara asked a house maid with bright pleasing eyes and wearing white silk clothes standing nearby, as follows: -
उत्तमेनाभिसंयुक्ता हर्षेणार्थपरा सती | राममाता धनं किं नु जनेभ्यः संप्रयच्छति | २-७-८
shvaH pushhyeNa jitakrodhaM yauvaraajyena raaghavam | raajaa dasharatho raamamabhishhechayitaanagham || 2-7-11
"Why is Kausalya giving away money to people so delightfully today in charity, eventhough she is badly lured of money?"
अतिमात्रप्रहर्षोऽयं किं जनस्य च शंस मे | कारयिष्यति किं वापि संप्रहृष्टो महीपतिः || २-७-९
dhaatryaastu vachanaM shrutvaa kubjaa kshipramamarshhitaa | kailaasashikharaakaaraatpraasaadaadavarohata || 2-7-12
"Why are people so happy today? Is the king duly pleased with something, doing any great act? Tell me."
विदीर्यमाणा हर्षेण धात्री तु परया मुदा | आचचक्षेऽथ कुब्जायै भूयसीं राघवश्रियम् || २-७-१०
saa dahyamaanaa kopena manatharaa paapadarshinii | shayanaametya kaikeyiimidaM vachana mabraviit || 2-7-13
That housemaid, bursting with joy, told Manthara in a great gladdening tone about the great honor to be conferred upon Rama.
श्वः पुष्येण जितक्रोधं यौवराज्येन राघवम् | राजा दशरथो राममभिषेचयितानघम् || २-७-११
uttishhTha muuDhe kiM sheshhe bhayaM tvaamabhivartate | upaplutamaghaughena kimaatmaanaM na budhyase || 2-7-14
"Tomorrow on the day of Pushyami star, king Dasaratha is going to anoint the fault-less Rama for the princely kingdom."
धात्र्यास्तु वचनं श्रुत्वा कुब्जा क्षिप्रममर्षिता | कैलासशिखराकारात्प्रासादादवरोहत || २-७-१२
anishhTe subhagaakaare saubhagyena vikatthase | chalaM hi tava saubhaagyaM nadyaaH srota ivoshhNage ||2-7-15
After hearing the words of that maid, Manthara quickly with wrath walked down from the roof of the palace, which was in the shape of mount Kailasa.
सा दह्यमाना कोपेन मनथरा पापदर्शिनी | शयनामेत्य कैकेयीमिदं वचन मब्रवीत् || २-७-१३
evamuktaa tu kaikeyii rushhTayaa parushhaM vachaH | kubjayaa paapadarshinyaa vishhaadamagamatparam || 2-7-16
Manthara of sinful thought; burning with anger, approached Kaikeyi who was lying on a bed and spoke these words:
उत्तिष्ठ मूढे किं शेषे भयं त्वामभिवर्तते | उपप्लुतमघौघेन किमात्मानं न बुध्यसे || २-७-१४
kaikeyi tvabraviitkubhaaM kachchitkshemaM na manathare | vishhaNNavadanaaM hi tvaaM lakshaye bhR^i shaduHkhitaam || 2-7-17
"O, fool! Get up. Why are you sleeping? A dreadful situation is befalling you. A flood of troubles submerges you. Why are you not knowing this yourself?"
अनिष्टे सुभगाकारे सौभग्येन विकत्थसे | चलं हि तव सौभाग्यं नद्याः स्रोत इवोष्णगे ||२-७-१५
mantharaa tu vachaH shrutvaa kaikeyyaa madhuraaksharam | uvaacha krodhasaMyuktaa vaakyaM vaakyavishaaradaa || 2-7-18
"Oh, Kaikeyi ! You appear to be a beloved wife for your husband, but in reality he does not like you. You boast of your fortune. Like the flow of a stream in summer; your fortune is unsteady".
एवमुक्ता तु कैकेयी रुष्टया परुषं वचः | कुब्जया पापदर्शिन्या विषादमगमत्परम् || २-७-१६
saa vishhaNNataraa bhuutvaa kubjaa tasyaa hitaishhiNii | vishhadayantii provaacha bhedayantii cha raaghavam || 2-7-19
Kaikeyi was very much worried after hearing hard words spoken with anger by Manthara of sinful thoughts.
कैकेयि त्वब्रवीत्कुभां कच्चित्क्षेमं न मनथरे | विषण्णवदनां हि त्वां लक्षये भृ शदुःखिताम् || २-७-१७
akshayyaM sumahaddevi pravR^ittaM dvadvinaashanam | raamaM dasharatho raajaa yauvaraajye.abhishhekshyati || 2-7-20
Kaikeyi asked the hunch-backed Manthara as follows; "O, Manthara! Are you not safe? You appear to be very sorrowful with your worried face".
मन्थरा तु वचः श्रुत्वा कैकेय्या मधुराक्षरम् | उवाच क्रोधसंयुक्ता वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदा || २-७-१८
saasmyagaadhe bhaye magnaa duHkhashokasamanvitaa | dahyamaanaa.a naleneva tvaddhitaarthamihaagataa || 2-7-21
After hearing Kaikeyi's sweet words, Manthara who was an expert in talking, spoke with anger.
सा विषण्णतरा भूत्वा कुब्जा तस्या हितैषिणी | विषदयन्ती प्रोवाच भेदयन्ती च राघवम् || २-७-१९
tava duHkhena kaikeyi mama duHkhaM mahadbhavet | tvadvR^iddhau mama vR^iddhishcha bhavedatra na saMshayaH || 2-7-22
That Manthara, who was full of cunning, feigning to be seeking Kaikeyi's welfare, appeared more worried, and making Kaikeyi sorrowful, spoke the following, to create hostility between Rama and Kaikeyi.
अक्षय्यं सुमहद्देवि प्रवृत्तं द्वद्विनाशनम् | रामं दशरथो राजा यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति || २-७-२०
narAdhipakule jAtA mahiShI tvaM mahIpateH | ugratva.n rAjadharmANA.n kathaM devi na budhyase || 2-7-23
"Oh, queen! An unending great ruin has encircled you. King Dasaratha is going to anoint Rama for the princely kingdom".
सास्म्यगाधे भये मग्ना दुःखशोकसमन्विता | दह्यमानाऽ नलेनेव त्वद्धितार्थमिहागता || २-७-२१
dharmavAdI shaTho bhartA shlakShNavAdI cha dAruNaH | shuddhabhAve na jAnIShe tenaivamatisandhitA || 2-7-24
"I am immersed in a bottomless pit of fear. I am in distress and my mind is burning as if by fire. I hastened here to seek you out."
तव दुःखेन कैकेयि मम दुःखं महद्भवेत् | त्वद्वृद्धौ मम वृद्धिश्च भवेदत्र न संशयः || २-७-२२
upasthitaM payu~njAnastvayi sAntvamanarthakam | arthenaivAdya te bhartA kausalyA.n yojayiShyati || 2-7-25
"Kaikeyi! If Rama becomes king, his son will become king after him. Thus, Bharata's name itself will be removed from the royal clan."
नराधिपकुले जाता महिषी त्वं महीपतेः | उग्रत्वं राजधर्माणां कथं देवि न बुध्यसे || २-७-२३
apavAhya sa duShTAtmA bharata.n tava bandhuShu | kAlya.n sthApayitA rAmaM rAjye nihatakaNTake || 2-7-26
"Oh, Kaikeyi! Having born in a royal family and being an emperor's wife, how is it that you are not knowing about the cruelty in kingly duties?"
धर्मवादी शठो भर्ता श्लक्ष्णवादी च दारुणः | शुद्धभावे न जानीषे तेनैवमतिसन्धिता || २-७-२४
shatruH patipravAdena mAtreva hitakAmyayA | AshIviSha ivA~Nkena bAle paridhR^itastvayA || 2-7-27
"Your husband talks about righteousness, but does harm secretly. He says sweet words but behaves cruelly. Because of your clean thinking; you are not able to know that he is cheating you thus."
उपस्थितं पयुञ्जानस्त्वयि सान्त्वमनर्थकम् | अर्थेनैवाद्य ते भर्ता कौसल्यां योजयिष्यति || २-७-२५
yathA hi kuryAtsarpo vA shatrurvA pratyupekShitaH | rAGYA dasharathenAdya saputrA tva.n tathA kR^itA || 2-7-28
"Your husband approaches you and talks good words, which are useless. But he passes on benefit today to Kausalya only."
अपवाह्य स दुष्टात्मा भरतं तव बन्धुषु | काल्यं स्थापयिता रामं राज्ये निहतकण्टके || २-७-२६
pApenAnR^itasaantvena bAle nitya.n sukhochite | rAma.n sthApayatA rAjye sAnubandhA hatA hyasi || 2-7-29
"The evil minded Dasaratha sent Bharata to the house of his relatives and at dawn, is going to install Rama on the throne without hindrance."
शत्रुः पतिप्रवादेन मात्रेव हितकाम्यया | आशीविष इवाङ्केन बाले परिधृतस्त्वया || २-७-२७
sA prAptakAla.n kaikeyi kShipraM kuru hitaM tava | trAyasva putramAtmAnaM mA.n cha vismayadarshane || 2-7-30
"O, childish one! Like a mother, you wish for his well being. But he is an enemy, and is called husband for a namesake. He is like a poisonous serpent in your bosom."
यथा हि कुर्यात्सर्पो वा शत्रुर्वा प्रत्युपेक्षितः | राज्ञा दशरथेनाद्य सपुत्रा त्वं तथा कृता || २-७-२८
mantharAyA vachaH shrutvA shayanAtsa shubhAnanA | uttasthau harshhasaMpuurNaa chandralekheva shaaradii || 2-7-31
"King Dasaratha has acted towards you and your son today in the same way as an enemy or a serpent would behave if ignored."
पापेनानृतसान्त्वेन बाले नित्यं सुखोचिते | रामं स्थापयता राज्ये सानुबन्धा हता ह्यसि || २-७-२९
atiiva saa tu saMhR^ishhTaaa kaikeyii vismayaanvitaa | ekamaabharaNaM tasyai kubjaayai pradadau shubham || 2-7-32
"O, stupid one! With his untruthful sweet words to you, who are ever deserving of ease, the evil minded king is installing Rama on the throne and is thus ruining you along with your son."
सा प्राप्तकालं कैकेयि क्षिप्रं कुरु हितं तव | त्रायस्व पुत्रमात्मानं मां च विस्मयदर्शने || २-७-३०
dattvA tvAbharaNa.n tasyai kubjAyai pramadottamA | kaikeyI mantharA.n hR^iShTA punarevAbravIdidam || 2-7-33
"O, Kaikeyi, of amazing beauty! You have to take timely action immediately, so as to save yourself, your son and me too."
मन्थराया वचः श्रुत्वा शयनात्स शुभानना | उत्तस्थौ हर्षसंपूर्णा चन्द्रलेखेव शारदी || २-७-३१
ida.n tu manthare mahyamAkhyAsi paramaM priyam | etanme priyamAkhyAtuH ki.n vA bhUyaH karomi te || 2-7-34
Hearing Manthara's words, that Kaikeyi of charming countenance who was lying in bed, rose from her coach full of delight like unto the crescent moon in autumn.
अतीव सा तु संहृष्टाअ कैकेयी विस्मयान्विता | एकमाभरणं तस्यै कुब्जायै प्रददौ शुभम् || २-७-३२
rAme vA bharate vAha.n visheShaM nopalakShaye | tasmAttuShTAsmi yadrAjA rAma.n rAjye.abhiShekShyati || 2-7-35
That Kaikeyi in the midst of her astonishment and joy gave a graceful jewel to the hunch-backed Manthara.
दत्त्वा त्वाभरणं तस्यै कुब्जायै प्रमदोत्तमा | कैकेयी मन्थरां हृष्टा पुनरेवाब्रवीदिदम् || २-७-३३
na me param kiJNchi ditastvayApi na | priyaM priyArhe suvacham vacho param | tathA hyavochastvamataH priyottaraM | varaM varaM te pradadAmi ta.n vR^iNu || 2-7-36
Kaikeyi, the best among women, gave a jewel to Manthara and spoke to her as follows:
इदं तु मन्थरे मह्यमाख्यासि परमं प्रियम् | एतन्मे प्रियमाख्यातुः किं वा भूयः करोमि ते || २-७-३४
"Oh, Manthara! You informed much gladdening news to me. What else can I do for you, who informed such a good news?"
रामे वा भरते वाहं विशेषं नोपलक्षये | तस्मात्तुष्टास्मि यद्राजा रामं राज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति || २-७-३५
"I do not see any difference between Rama and Bharata. That is why, I am happy that Rama is being anointed for crown by the king."
न मे परम् किञ्चि दितस्त्वयापि न | प्रियं प्रियार्हे सुवचम् वचो परम् | तथा ह्यवोचस्त्वमतः प्रियोत्तरं | वरं वरं ते प्रददामि तं वृणु || २-७-३६
"O, Manthara! You do merit every favor. I have no other pleasant news than this. Hence, you cannot ever again inform a better loving news than this. I shall give you a good boon. Ask for it!"
