Ayodhya Kaanda
62 - Sarasvati perverts the mind of Manthara (a handmaid of queen Kaikeyi); a dialogue between Kaikeyi and Manthara
Chaupais
Description
"Rama's mother (Kausalya) is clever and deep; finding a suitable opportunity she has turned it to account. You must know it is at the suggestion of Rama's mother that the king has sent away Bharata to his maternal grandfather's. She says to herself, "All my other co-wives serve me well, only Bharata's mother (yourself) is proud, because of her influence with her lord. It is therefore, O mother, that you rankle in Kausalya's heart; but she is too crafty to disclose her mind. The king is particularly fond of you; but due to the jealousy to which a co-wife is naturally subject, Kausalya cannot tolerate it. That is why by resorting to machination and winning over the king she has prevailed on him to fix a date for Rama's installation on the throne. The inauguration of Rama is in accord with the traditions of the family; it is liked by all and is quite to my taste. I, however, shudder to think of the consequences; may heaven so ordain that the mischief may recoil on her own head."