Chapter 9
Manthara's Success in Poisoning Kaikeyi's Mind
61 Verses
एवमुक्ता तु कैकेयी कोपेन ज्वलितानना | दीर्घमुष्टम् विनिःश्वस्य मन्थरामिदम् अब्रवीत् || ९-२-१
evamuktaa tu kaikeyii kopena jvalitaananaa | diirghamushhTam viniHshvasya mantharaamidam abraviit || 9-2-1
After hearing those words, Kaikeyi with her face burning with anger, had a long and hot sigh and spoke to Manthara as follows:
अद्य राममितः क्षिप्रं वनं प्रस्थापयाम्यहम् | यौवराज्ये च भरतं क्षिप्रमेवाभिषेचये || ९-२-२
adya raamamitaH kshipraM vanaM prasthaapayaamyaham | yauvaraajye cha bharataM kshipramevaabhishhechaye || 9-2-2
"Now itself, I shall send Rama quickly to forest. I shall get Bharata anointed for princely kingdom immediately."
इदं त्विदानीं संपश्य केनोपायेन मन्थरे | भरतः प्राप्नुयाद्राज्यं न तु रामः कथंचन|| ९-२-३
idaM tvidaaniiM saMpashya kenopaayena manthare | bharataH praapnuyaadraajyaM na tu raamaH kathaMchana|| 9-2-3
"O Manthara! What is the means by which Bharata will get the kingdom but Rama will not get it by any method. Think about it now."
एवमुक्ता तया देव्या मन्थरा पापदर्शिनी | रामार्थमुपहिंसन्ती कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत् || ९-२-४
evamuktaa tayaa devyaa mantharaa paapadarshinii | raamaarthamupahiMsantii kaikeyiimidamabraviit || 9-2-4
After hearing her words, the sinful thinking Manthara, spoke thus to Kaikeyi to destroy Rama's benefit of kingdom.
हन्तेदानीं प्रवक्ष्यामि कैकेयि श्रूयतां च मे | यथा ते भरतो राज्यं पुत्रः प्राप्स्यति केवलम् || ९-२-५
hantedaaniiM pravakshyaami kaikeyi shruuyataaM cha me | yathaa te bharato raajyaM putraH praapsyati kevalam || 9-2-5
"O Kaikeyi! I am very glad. I shall tell you the means by which your son Bharata only will get the kingdom. Listen to it!"
किं न स्मरसि कैकेयि स्मरन्ती वा निगूहसे | यदुच्यमानमात्मार्थं मत्तस्त्वं श्रोतुमिच्छसि || ९-२-६
kiM na smarasi kaikeyi smarantii vaa niguuhase | yaduchyamaanamaatmaarthaM mattastvaM shrotumichchhasi || 9-2-6
"Oh, Kaikeyi! You desire to hear from me the means for your benefit. Have you forgotten about it or are you hiding, even if you have remembered it?"
मयोच्यमानं यदि ते श्रोतुं छन्दो विलासिनि | श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि श्रुत्वा चैतद् विधीयताम् || ९-२-७
mayochyamaanaM yadi te shrotuM chchhndo vilaasini | shruuyataamabhidhaasyaami shrutvaa chaitad vidhiiyataam || 9-2-7
"O the lady of charms, Kaikeyi! If you desire to hear this from my mouth, I shall tell you. Listen to me. Let it be acted upon after listening to me."
श्रुत्वैवं वचनं तस्या मन्थरायास्तु कैकयि | किंचिदुत्थाय शयनात्स्वास्तीर्णादिदमब्रवीत् || ९-२-८
shrutvaivaM vachanaM tasyaa mantharaayaastu kaikayi | kiMchidutthaaya shayanaatsvaastiirNaadidamabraviit || 9-2-8
After hearing Manthara's words, Kaikeyi slightly rose from the well-laid bed and spoke the following :
कथय त्वं ममोपायं केनोपायेन मन्थरे | भरतः प्राप्नुयाद्रज्यं न तु रामः कथंचन || ९-२-९
kathaya tvaM mamopaayaM kenopaayena manthare | bharataH praapnuyaadrajyaM na tu raamaH kathaMchana || 9-2-9
"O Manthara! Tell me the trick by which Bharata will get the kingdom and Rama will not get it under any circumstances."
एवमुक्ता तया देव्या मन्थरा पापदर्शिनी | रामार्थमुपहिंसन्ती कुब्जा वचनमब्रवीत् || ९-२-१०
evamuktaa tayaa devyaa mantharaa paapadarshinii | raamaarthamupahiMsantii kubjaa vachanamabraviit || 9-2-10
After hearing Kaikeyi's words, the sinful thinking, hunch backed Manthara, spoke thus, with an intention to destroy Rama's benefit of kingdom.
तव दैवासुरे युद्धे सहराजर्षिभिः पतिः | अगच्छत्त्वामुपादाय देवराजस्य साह्यकृत् || ९-२-११ दिशमास्थाय वै देवि दक्षिणां दण्डकान् प्रति | वैजयन्तमिति क्यातं पुरं यत्र तिमिध्वजः || ९-२-१२
tava daivaasure yuddhe saharaajarshhibhiH patiH | agachchhattvaamupaadaaya devaraajasya saahyakR^it || 9-2-11 dishamaasthaaya vai devi dakshiNaaM daNDakaan prati | vaijayantamiti kyaataM puraM yatra timidhvajaH || 9-2-12
"O Queen! Once upon a time, when there was a battle between celestials and demons, your husband Dasaratha went along with you and other holy kings to help Indra in battle, to a famous city called Vaijayata in which the demon Timidhvaja lived in a southern direction in the forest of Dandaka."
स शम्बर इति ख्यातः शतमायो महासुरः | ददौ शक्रस्य संग्रामं देवसङिघैरनिर्जितः || ९-२-१३
tasmin mahati saMgraame purushhaan kshatavikshataan | raatrau prasuptaan ghnanti sma tarasaasaadya raakshasaaH || 9-2-14
"That great demon famously called shambara, who had several magic effects, defeated all the celestials and conferred battle upon Devendra."
तस्मिन् महति संग्रामे पुरुषान् क्षतविक्षतान् | रात्रौ प्रसुप्तान् घ्नन्ति स्म तरसासाद्य राक्षसाः || ९-२-१४
tatraakaronmahaayuddhaM raajaa dasharatha stadaa | asuraishcha mahaabaahuH shastraishcha shakaliikR^itaH || 9-2-15
"In that great battle, demons approached and forcefully killed men who were injured by arrows and also those who were sleeping at night."
तत्राकरोन्महायुद्धं राजा दशरथ स्तदा | असुरैश्च महाबाहुः शस्त्रैश्च शकलीकृतः || ९-२-१५
apavaahya tvayaa devi saMgraamaannashhTachetanaH | tatrapi vikshataH shasraiH patiste rakshitastvayaa || 9-2-16
"Then, king Dasaratha fought a great battle there. With their weapons, demons made into pieces the long armed Dasaratha."
अपवाह्य त्वया देवि संग्रामान्नष्टचेतनः | तत्रपि विक्षतः शस्रैः पतिस्ते रक्षितस्त्वया || ९-२-१६
tushhTena tena dattau te dvau varau shubhadarshane | satvayoktaH patirdevi yadechchheyaM tadaa varau || 9-2-17 gR^ihNiiyaamiti tattana tadhetyuktaM mahaatmanaa |
"O Queen! You saved the life of your unconscious husband by taking him away from the battle field. There also, you again saved him, when beaten by demons with their weapons."
तुष्टेन तेन दत्तौ ते द्वौ वरौ शुभदर्शने | सत्वयोक्तः पतिर्देवि यदेच्छेयं तदा वरौ || ९-२-१७ गृह्णीयामिति तत्तन तधेत्युक्तं महात्मना |
anabhijJNaa hyahaM devi tvayaiva kathitaa puraa || 9-2-18 kathaishhaa tava tu snehaanmanasaa dhaaryate mayaa | raamaabhishhekasaMbhaaraannigR^ihya vinivartaya || 9-2-19
"O Kaikeyi with auspicious appearance! Getting delighted, he gave two boons to you. Then, you said, " I shall ask you whenever I require them". He then agreed to it."
अनभिज्ञा ह्यहं देवि त्वयैव कथिता पुरा || ९-२-१८ कथैषा तव तु स्नेहान्मनसा धार्यते मया | रामाभिषेकसंभारान्निगृह्य विनिवर्तय || ९-२-१९
tau varau yaacha bhartaaraM bharatasyaabhishhechanam | pravraajanaM tu raamasya tvaM varshhaaNi chaturdasha || 9-2-20
"O Queen! I do not know what had happened there. You yourself told this story previously to me. I am keeping this in my mind because of my friendship with you. Hence, you have to stop, by force, the arrangements being made for Rama's coronation."
तौ वरौ याच भर्तारं भरतस्याभिषेचनम् | प्रव्राजनं तु रामस्य त्वं वर्षाणि चतुर्दश || ९-२-२०
krodhaagaaraM pravishyaadya kR^idddhevaashvapateH sute | sheshhvaanantarhitaayaaM tvaM bhuumau malinavaasinii || 9-2-22
"You ask your husband as two boons, anointing Bharata for princely kingdom and sending Rama to exile for fourteen years."
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणिरामे प्रव्राजिते वनम् | प्रजाभावगतस्नेहः स्थिरः पुत्रो भविष्यति || ९-२-२१
maasmainaM pratyudiikshethaa maachaina mabhibhaashhathaaH | rudantii chaapi taM dR^ishhTvaa jagatyaaM shokalaalasaa || 9-2-23
If you send Rama to forest for fourteen years, your son Bharata will get intimate association in the hearts of the people and will get stabilised in kingdom.
क्रोधागारं प्रविश्याद्य कृद्द्धेवाश्वपतेः सुते | शेष्वानन्तर्हितायां त्वं भूमौ मलिनवासिनी || ९-२-२२
dayitaa tvaM sadaa bharturatra me naasti saMshayaH | tvatkR^ite sa mahaaraajo vishedapi hutaashanam || 9-2-24
Oh, kaikeyi! Now, enter the room of wrath as if angry with him and lie down on floor without any spread underneath and wearing soiled clothes.
मास्मैनं प्रत्युदीक्षेथा माचैन मभिभाषथाः | रुदन्ती चापि तं दृष्ट्वा जगत्यां शोकलालसा || ९-२-२३
na tvaaM krodhayituM shaktona kruddhaaM pratyudiikshitum| tava priyaarthaM raajaa hi praaNaanapi parityajet || 9-2-25
As soon as you see Dasaratha, be sorrowful and keep on weeping, without looking at him and without talking to him face to face.
दयिता त्वं सदा भर्तुरत्र मे नास्ति संशयः | त्वत्कृते स महाराजो विशेदपि हुताशनम् || ९-२-२४
na hyatikramituM shaktastava vaakyaM mahiipatiH | mandasvabhaave buddhyasva saubhaagyabalamaatmanaH || 9-2-26
You are always dear to your husband. I have no doubt about it. King Dasaratha will even jump into a fire for your sake.
न त्वां क्रोधयितुं शक्तोन क्रुद्धां प्रत्युदीक्षितुम्| तव प्रियार्थं राजा हि प्राणानपि परित्यजेत् || ९-२-२५
maNimuktaM suvarNaani ratnaani vividhaani cha | dadyaaddhasharatho raajaa maa sma teshhu manaH kR^ithaaH || 9-2-27
The king is not capable of making you angry. He is not even able to see you with anger. He will give up his life for your love.
न ह्यतिक्रमितुं शक्तस्तव वाक्यं महीपतिः | मन्दस्वभावे बुद्ध्यस्व सौभाग्यबलमात्मनः || ९-२-२६
yau tau daivaasure yuddhe varau dsharatho.adadaat | tau smaaraya mahaabhaage so.artho maatvaamatikramet || 9-2-28
Oh, foolish one! The king will not be able to transgress your word. You realise your abundant strength.
मणिमुक्तं सुवर्णानि रत्नानि विविधानि च | दद्याद्धशरथो राजा मा स्म तेषु मनः कृथाः || ९-२-२७
yadaa tu te varaM dadyaatsvayamutthaapya raaghavaH | vyavasthaapya mahaaraajaM tamimaM vR^iNuyaa varam || 9-2-29
King Dasaratha may offer you diamonds, pearls, gold and various other precious stones. Do not care for them.
यौ तौ दैवासुरे युद्धे वरौ द्शरथोऽददात् | तौ स्मारय महाभागे सोऽर्थो मात्वामतिक्रमेत् || ९-२-२८
raamaM pravraajayaaraNye nava varshhaaNi paJNcha cha | bharataH kriyataaM raajaa pR^ithivyaaH paarthivarshhabha || 9-2-30
Oh, Kaikeyi, the great fortunate! you remind Dasaratha of those boons given by him to you in that battle between celestials and demons. See that your benefit does not get thwarted.
यदा तु ते वरं दद्यात्स्वयमुत्थाप्य राघवः | व्यवस्थाप्य महाराजं तमिमं वृणुया वरम् || ९-२-२९
chaturdasha hi varshhaaNi raame pravraajite vanm | ruuDhashcha kR^itamuulashcha sheshhaM sthaasyati te sutaH || 9-2-31
Dasaratha himself will raise you from the floor and offer you the boon. Thus , after making him steady, you ask for this boon.
रामं प्रव्राजयारण्ये नव वर्षाणि पञ्च च | भरतः क्रियतां राजा पृथिव्याः पार्थिवर्षभ || ९-२-३०
raamapravraajanaM chaiva devi yaachasva taM varam | evaM siddhyanti putrasya sarvaarthaastava bhaamini || 9-2-32
"Oh, king! send Rama to forest for fourteen years. Let Bharata be made as king of this earth".
चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि रामे प्रव्राजिते वन्म् | रूढश्च कृतमूलश्च शेषं स्थास्यति ते सुतः || ९-२-३१
evaM pravraajitashchaiva raamo.araamo bhavishhyati | bharatashcha hataamitrastava raajaa bhavishhyati || 9-2-33
Rama having been sent to forest for fourteen years, your son will stand firmly, having laid his roots and will stay in power for the remaining period.
रामप्रव्राजनं चैव देवि याचस्व तं वरम् | एवं सिद्ध्यन्ति पुत्रस्य सर्वार्थास्तव भामिनि || ९-२-३२
yena kaalena raamashcha vanaatpratyaagamishhyati | tena kaalena putraste kR^itamuulo bhavishhyati || 9-2-34 sugR^ihiitamanushhyashcha suhR^idbhiH saardhamaatmavaan |
Oh, Kaikeyi! Ask Dasaratha of sending Rama to forest also as a boon. Thus, your son will accomplish all the desired benefits.
एवं प्रव्राजितश्चैव रामोऽरामो भविष्यति | भरतश्च हतामित्रस्तव राजा भविष्यति || ९-२-३३
praaptakaalaM nu manye.ahaM raajaanaM viitasaadhvasaa || 9-2-35 raamaabhishhekasaMkalpaannigR^ihya vinivartaya |
Thus , by sending Rama to exile, he will not become amiable to people. Your Bharata will become king, after the enemies having been annihilated.
येन कालेन रामश्च वनात्प्रत्यागमिष्यति | तेन कालेन पुत्रस्ते कृतमूलो भविष्यति || ९-२-३४ सुगृहीतमनुष्यश्च सुहृद्भिः सार्धमात्मवान् |
anarthamartharuupeNa graahitaa saa tatastayaa || 9-2-36 hR^ishhTaa pratiitaa kaikeyii mantharaamidamabraviit |
When Rama returns from forest, your wise son will accumulate friends and draw people to his fold, thus establishing roots himself.
प्राप्तकालं नु मन्येऽहं राजानं वीतसाध्वसा || ९-२-३५ रामाभिषेकसंकल्पान्निगृह्य विनिवर्तय |
saa hi vaakyena kubjaayaaH kishoriivotpathaM gataa | kaikeyii vismayaM praaptaa paraM paramadarshanaa || 9-2-37
This is the appropriate time for you. Be fearless and by your insistence, make the king turn aside his effort to anoint Rama.
अनर्थमर्थरूपेण ग्राहिता सा ततस्तया || ९-२-३६ हृष्टा प्रतीता कैकेयी मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत् |
kubje tvaaM naabhijaanaami shreshhThaaM shreShThabhidhaayiniim | pR^ithivyaamasi kubjaanaamuttamaa buddhinirNaye || 9-2-38
Kaikeyi, being brain-washed an unworthy matter as the most worthy matter by Manthara, accepted her well and having delighted, spoke to her as follows:-
सा हि वाक्येन कुब्जायाः किशोरीवोत्पथं गता | कैकेयी विस्मयं प्राप्ता परं परमदर्शना || ९-२-३७
tvameva tu mamaartheshhu nityayuktaa hitaishhiNii || 9-2-39 naahaM samavabuddhyeyaM kubje raajJNashchikiirshhitam |
Though of right thinking in nature, Kaikeyi was very much surprised to hear Manthara's words and like a small girl, got into a wrong path.
कुब्जे त्वां नाभिजानामि श्रेष्ठां श्रेष्ठभिधायिनीम् | पृथिव्यामसि कुब्जानामुत्तमा बुद्धिनिर्णये || ९-२-३८
santi duHsaMsthitaaH kubjaa vakraaH paramadaaruNaaH || 9-2-40 tvaM padmamiva vaatena sannataa priyadarshanaa |
Oh, Manthara! You are telling very good things. Till now, I have not recognised you as this good. You are the best among the hunch-backed on this earth in making intellectual decisions.
त्वमेव तु ममार्थेषु नित्ययुक्ता हितैषिणी || ९-२-३९ नाहं समवबुद्ध्येयं कुब्जे राज्ञश्चिकीर्षितम् |
uraste.abhinivishhTaM vai yaavat skandhaatsamunnatam || 9-2-41 adhastaachchodaraM shaataM sunaabhamiva lajjitam |
Oh, Manthara! you always show interest in my well being and wish for my benefit. But for you, I would not have been aware of the king's intentions.
सन्ति दुःसंस्थिताः कुब्जा वक्राः परमदारुणाः || ९-२-४० त्वं पद्ममिव वातेन सन्नता प्रियदर्शना |
paripuurNaM tu jaghanaM supiinau cha payodharau || 9-2-42 vimalendusamaM vaktramaho raajasi manthare |
There are so many hunch backed persons in the world. Their bodily construction is very bad. They are crooked and dreadful. But you appear lovely, as a lotus flower bent by breeze.
उरस्तेऽभिनिविष्टं वै यावत् स्कन्धात्समुन्नतम् || ९-२-४१ अधस्ताच्चोदरं शातं सुनाभमिव लज्जितम् |
jaghanaM tava nirghushhTaM rashanaadaamashobhitam || 9-2-43 jaN^aghe bh^ishamupanyaste paadau chaapyaayataavubhau |
Your chest is appearing equally on both sides and is loftily extended unto the shoulder. Below it is the stomach with an excellent navel, which is lean as though it is shy of seeing the loftiness of chest.
परिपूर्णं तु जघनं सुपीनौ च पयोधरौ || ९-२-४२ विमलेन्दुसमं वक्त्रमहो राजसि मन्थरे |
tvamaayataabhyaaM sakthibhyaaM manthare kshaumavaasinii | agrato mama gachchhantii raajahaMseva bhaasase|| 9-2-44
Oh, Manthara! with perfect hips and well rounded breasts and with your face like an untainted moon you are shining well.
जघनं तव निर्घुष्टं रशनादामशोभितम् || ९-२-४३ जङघे भ्^इशमुपन्यस्ते पादौ चाप्यायतावुभौ |
aasanyaaH shambare maayaaH sahasramasuraadhipe || 9-2-45 sarvaastvayi nivishhTaastaa bhuuyashchaanyaaH sahasrashaH |
Oh, Manthara! your waist decorated with golden belt is making sound. Your leg-muscles are well rounded and your feet are tall.
त्वमायताभ्यां सक्थिभ्यां मन्थरे क्षौमवासिनी | अग्रतो मम गच्छन्ती राजहंसेव भाससे|| ९-२-४४
tavedaM sthagu yaddiirghaM rathaghoNamivaayatam || 9-2-46 matayaH kshatravidyaashcha maayaashchaatra vasanti te |
Oh, Manthara! you are splendid like a royal swan walking before me, with long thighs are wearing a silk sari.
आसन्याः शम्बरे मायाः सहस्रमसुराधिपे || ९-२-४५ सर्वास्त्वयि निविष्टास्ता भूयश्चान्याः सहस्रशः |
atrate pratimokshyaami maalaaM kubje hiraNmayiim || 9-2-47 abhishhikte cha bharate raaghave cha vanaM gate |
In addition to all those thousand magic effects lying in shambara, the lord of demons, another further thousands of magic effects are lying in you.
तवेदं स्थगु यद्दीर्घं रथघोणमिवायतम् || ९-२-४६ मतयः क्षत्रविद्याश्च मायाश्चात्र वसन्ति ते |
jaatyena cha suvarNena suvishhTaptena manthare || 9-2-48 labdhaarthaa cha pratiitaa cha lepayishhyaami te sthagu |
In your long hunch, which looks like an apex of a chariot, are dwelling your various thoughts, royal arts and magic effects.
अत्रते प्रतिमोक्ष्यामि मालां कुब्जे हिरण्मयीम् || ९-२-४७ अभिषिक्ते च भरते राघवे च वनं गते |
mukhe cha tilakaM chitraM jaataruupamayaM shubham || 9-2-49 kaarayishhyaami te kubje shubhaanyabharaNaani cha|
Oh Manthara! When Rama goes to forest and Bharata gets kingdom, I shall adore this hunch back with a golden garland.
जात्येन च सुवर्णेन सुविष्टप्तेन मन्थरे || ९-२-४८ लब्धार्था च प्रतीता च लेपयिष्यामि ते स्थगु |
paridhaaya shubhe vastre devateva charishhyasi || 9-2-50 chaMdramaahvayamaanena mukhenaapratimaananaa| gamishhyasi gatiM mukhyaaMgarvayantii dvishhajjane || 9-2-51
Oh, Manthara! After accomplishing the benefit desired by me, I shall, with delight, get your hunch back anointed with well refined gold of good quality.
मुखे च तिलकं चित्रं जातरूपमयं शुभम् || ९-२-४९ कारयिष्यामि ते कुब्जे शुभान्यभरणानि च|
tavaapi kubjaayaaH sarvaabharaNabhuushhitaaH | paadau paricharishhyanti yathaiva tvaM sadaa mama || 9-2-52
Oh, Manthara! I shall get beautiful ornaments made and for your forehead auspicious dots of variety done of pure gold.
परिधाय शुभे वस्त्रे देवतेव चरिष्यसि || ९-२-५० चंद्रमाह्वयमानेन मुखेनाप्रतिमानना| गमिष्यसि गतिं मुख्यांगर्वयन्ती द्विषज्जने || ९-२-५१
iti prashasyamaanaa saa kaikeyiimidamabraviit | shayaanaaM shayane shubhre vedyaamagnishikhaamiva || 9-2-53
You will be moving around like an angel, wearing beautiful clothes. You will achieve an important position in the eyes of your adversaries with pride and with your face, incomparably competing with moon.
तवापि कुब्जायाः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः | पादौ परिचरिष्यन्ति यथैव त्वं सदा मम || ९-२-५२
tathaa protsaahitaa devii gataa mantharayaa saha | krodhaagaaraM vishaalaakshii saubhaagyamadagarvitaa || 9-2-55 anekashatasaahasraM muktaahaaraM varaaN^ganaa | avamuchya varaaraaNi shubhaanyaabharaNaani cha || 9-2-56 tato hemopamaa tatra kubjaavaakyavashaMgataa | saMvishya bhuumau kaikeyii mantharaamidamabraviit || 9-2-57
The hunch backed women, adorned with all ornaments, will always do service, at your feet, as how as hunch-backed women, adorned with all ornaments, will always do service at your feet, as how as hunch-backed you are doing it to me.
इति प्रशस्यमाना सा कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत् | शयानां शयने शुभ्रे वेद्यामग्निशिखामिव || ९-२-५३
iha vaa maaM mR^itaaM kubje NR^ipaayaavedayishhyasi | vanaM tu raaghave praaptebharataH praapsyati kshitim|| 9-2-58
Manthara in this way being praised spoke these words to Kaikeyi, who was lying in a clean couch like a flame of fire upon the sacrificial altar.
गतोदके सेतुबन्दो न कल्याणि विधीयते | उत्तिष्ठ कुरु कल्याणं राजानमसुदर्शय|| ९-२-५४
na suvarNena me hyartho na ratnairna cha bhuushhaNaiH | eshha me jiivitasyaanto raamo yadyabhishhichyate || 9-2-59
Oh, Kaikeyi the auspicious one! When water has already flown out, there is no use constructing a dam. Now rise and do this purposeful action. Show your influence to the king.
तथा प्रोत्साहिता देवी गता मन्थरया सह | क्रोधागारं विशालाक्षी सौभाग्यमदगर्विता || ९-२-५५ अनेकशतसाहस्रं मुक्ताहारं वराङ्गना | अवमुच्य वराराणि शुभान्याभरणानि च || ९-२-५६ ततो हेमोपमा तत्र कुब्जावाक्यवशंगता | संविश्य भूमौ कैकेयी मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत् || ९-२-५७
atho punastaaM mahishhiiM mahiikshito | vachobhiratyartha mahaaparaakramaiH | uvaacha kubjaa bharatasya maataraM | hitaM vacho raamamupetya chaahitam || 9-2-60
By surrendering to the words of Manthara and having been thus encouraged by her, Kaikeyi who was of wide eyes, who was proud of her intoxicating beauty, who was a gifted woman and a queen, removed pearl necklace worth in lacs and other great valuable auspicious ornaments from her body, entered the chamber of wrath along with Manthara, lied on the floor there like a golden wire and spoke to Manthara as follows:
इह वा मां मृतां कुब्जे णृपायावेदयिष्यसि | वनं तु राघवे प्राप्तेभरतः प्राप्स्यति क्षितिम्|| ९-२-५८
yamasya vaa maaM vishhayaM gataamito | nishaamya kubje prativedayishhyasi | vanaM gate vaa suchiraaya raaghave | samR^iddhakaamo bharato bhavishhyati || 9-2-63
"After Rama's going to the forest, Bharata shall get the kingdom. Or else, you inform the king that I died here itself".
न सुवर्णेन मे ह्यर्थो न रत्नैर्न च भूषणैः | एष मे जीवितस्यान्तो रामो यद्यभिषिच्यते || ९-२-५९
ahaM hi vai naastaraNaani na srajo | na chandanaM naaJNjanapaanabhojanam | na kiMchidichchhaami na cheha jiivitaM | na chedito gachchhati raaghavo vanam || 9-2-64
Neither gold nor diamonds nor ornaments are of any use to me. on which day Rama gets anointed for the kingdom, the same day it will be the end of my life.
अथो पुनस्तां महिषीं महीक्षितो | वचोभिरत्यर्थ महापराक्रमैः | उवाच कुब्जा भरतस्य मातरं | हितं वचो राममुपेत्य चाहितम् || ९-२-६०
athaitaduktvaa vachanaM sudaaruNaM | ndhaaya sarvaabharaNaani bhaaminii | asaMvR^itaamaastaraNena mediniiM | tadaadhishishye patiteva kinnarii || 9-2-65
Afterwards, that Manthara again spoke to the seriously talking mother of Bharata that is Kaikeyi the following words which were beneficial to her and not beneficial in relation to Rama.
प्रपत्स्यते राज्यमिदं हि राघवो | यदि ध्रुवं त्वं स सुता च तप्स्यसे | अतो हि कल्याणि यतस्व तत्तथा | यथा सुतस्ते भरतोऽभिषेक्ष्यते || ९-२-६१
udiirNasaMrambhatamovR^itaananaa | tadaavamuktottamamuulyabhuushhaNaa | narendrapatnii vimanaa babhuuva saa | tamovR^itaa dyauriva magnataarakaa || 9-2-66
If Rama becomes king, you and your son will be destroyed. Oh, Kaikeyi of auspicious qualities! Hence you try for coronation of your son, Bharata
तथातिविद्धा महिषि तु कुब्जया | समाहता वागिषुभिर्मुहुर्मुहुः | विधाय हस्तौ हृदयेऽतिविस्मिता | श्शंस कुब्जां कुपिता पुनः पुनः || ९-२-६२
Having thus hit by arrows of words employed by Manthara again and again, Kaikeyi felt sad, was angry with the king, by keeping hands on her heart, was surprised with the cleverness of Manthara and praised her time and again.
यमस्य वा मां विषयं गतामितो | निशाम्य कुब्जे प्रतिवेदयिष्यसि | वनं गते वा सुचिराय राघवे | समृद्धकामो भरतो भविष्यति || ९-२-६३
If Rama does not go to forest from here, I do not long for any mattresses or garlands or sandal paste or eye-liner or drink or food or even the loaf here.
अहं हि वै नास्तरणानि न स्रजो | न चन्दनं नाञ्जनपानभोजनम् | न किंचिदिच्छामि न चेह जीवितं | न चेदितो गच्छति राघवो वनम् || ९-२-६४
If Rama does not go to forest from here, I do not long for any mattresses or garlands or sandal paste or eye-liner or drink or food or even the life here.
अथैतदुक्त्वा वचनं सुदारुणं | न्धाय सर्वाभरणानि भामिनी | असंवृतामास्तरणेन मेदिनीं | तदाधिशिश्ये पतितेव किन्नरी || ९-२-६५
Kaikeyi, thus uttering cruel words, having removed all ornaments, lied on the floor without a mattress like a fallen angel.
उदीर्णसंरम्भतमोवृतानना | तदावमुक्तोत्तममूल्यभूषणा | नरेन्द्रपत्नी विमना बभूव सा | तमोवृता द्यौरिव मग्नतारका || ९-२-६६
Kaikeyi, having removed all adornments, having her face covered by the darkness of extreme anger and with her depressed mind, looked like a starless sky in a gloomy night.
