Introduction
Manthara with her wicked thoughts tries to convince Kaikeyi of the possible misfortune that could occur to Kaikeyi and her family if Sri Rama becomes the King. Although Kaikeyi’s initial reaction is to praise Rama’s qualities; her mind is slowly but surely poisoned by Manathara’s sinful words.
मन्थरा त्वभ्यसूयैनामुत्सृज्याभरणं च तत्|
उवाचेदं ततो वाक्यं कोपदुःखसमन्विता || २-८-१
uvaachedaM tato vaakyaM kopaduHkhasamanvitaa || 2-8-1
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.1
Manthara, becoming indignant with Kaikeyi, threw down the ornament given to her and with anger and distress spoke the following words:
हर्षं किमिदमस्थाने कृतवत्यसि बालिशे |
शोकसागरमध्यस्थमात्मानं नावबुध्यसे || २-८-२
shokasaagaramadhyasthamaatmaanaM naavabudhyase || 2-8-2
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.2
“O, foolish one! Not knowing that you are in the midst of an ocean of trouble, what is it that you are so delighted about, in a matter to be grieved?”.
मनसा प्रहसामि त्वां देवि दुःखार्धिता सती |
यच्छोचितव्ये हृष्टासि प्राप्येदं व्यसनं महत् || २-८-३
yachchhochitavye hR^ishhTaasi praapyedaM vyasanaM mahat || 2-8-3
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.3
“Oh, queen! Though stricken with grief, I mentally laugh at you in that you are rejoicing at the time when a great calamity is befalling you.”.
शोचामि दुर्मतित्वं ते का हि प्राज्ञा प्रहर्षयेत् |
अरेः सपत्नीपुत्रस्य वृद्धिं मृत्युमिवागताम् || २-८-४
areH sapatniiputrasya vR^iddhiM mR^ityumivaagataam || 2-8-4
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.4
“I am lamenting over your foolish mind. Does any intelligent woman feel happy over the prosperity of a stepson who is considered an enemy? Does it not amount to praising a befalling death?”.
भरतादेव रामस्य राज्यसाधारणाद्भयम् |
तद्विचिन्त्य विषण्णास्मि भय भीताद्धि जायते || २-८-५
tadvichintya vishhaNNaasmi bhaya bhiitaaddhi jaayate || 2-8-5
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.5
“Rama has a fear about Bharata because Bharata has equal rights over the kingdom. In thinking about this matter, I am getting anguished. Do we not get disasters from those who are afraid of us?”.
लक्ष्मणो हि महेष्वासो रामं सर्वात्मना गतः |
शत्रुघ्नश्चापि भरतं काकुत्थ्सं लक्ष्मणो यथा || २-८-६
shatrughnashchaapi bharataM kaakutthsaM lakshmaNo yathaa || 2-8-6
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.6
“Lakshmana, wielding a great bow, joined Rama with all his heart. Shatrughna is as faithful to Bharata as Lakshmana to Rama”..
प्रत्यासन्नक्रमेणापि भरतस्तैव भामिनि |
राज्यक्रमो विप्रकृष्टस्तयोस्तावत्कनीयसोः || २-८-७
raajyakramo viprakR^ishhTastayostaavatkaniiyasoH || 2-8-7
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.7
“Oh Kaikeyi! In line with even the proximity of birth; the claim to the throne of Bharata alone can be pressed, that of Lakshmana and Satrughna who are younger is out of question.”
विदुषः क्षत्रचारित्रे प्राज्ञस्य प्राप्तकारिणः |
भयात्प्रवेपे रामस्य चिन्तयन्ती तवात्मजम् || २-८-८
bhayaatpravepe raamasya chintayantii tavaatmajam || 2-8-8
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.8
“Oh Kaikeyi! In line with even the proximity of birth; the claim to the throne of Bharata alone can be pressed, that of Lakshmana and Satrughna who are younger is out of question.”
सुभगा खलु कौसल्या यस्याः पुत्रोऽभिषेक्ष्यते |
यौवराज्येन महता श्वः पुष्येण द्विजोत्तमैः || २-८-९
yauvaraajyena mahataa shvaH pushhyeNa dvijottamaiH || 2-8-9
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.9
“Kausalya is very fortunate. Brahmans are going to anoint her son for the great princely kingdom tomorrow on the day of Pushyami star”.
प्राप्तां सुमहतीं प्रीतिं प्रतीतां तां हतद्विषम् |
उपस्थास्यसि कौसल्यां दासीवत्त्वं कृताञ्जलिः || २-८-१०
upasthaasyasi kausalyaaM daasiivattvaM kR^itaaJNjaliH || 2-8-10
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.10
“With folded arms, as a maid-servant, you have to serve that Kausalya who having reached great prosperity, in the height of joy, will dispose of her adversaries (in the person of Bharata and yourself)”.
एवम् चेत्त्वं सहास्माभिस्तस्याः प्रेष्य भविष्यसि |
पुत्रश्च तव रामस्य प्रेष्यभावं गमिष्यति || २-८-११
putrashcha tava raamasya preshhyabhaavaM gamishhyati || 2-8-11
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.11
“Thus, if you become Kausalya’s servant-maid along with us, your son Bharata will be Rama’s attendant.”
हृष्टाः खलु भविष्यन्ति रामस्य परमाः स्त्रियः |
अप्रहृष्टा भविष्यन्ति स्नुषास्ते भरतक्षये || २-८-१२
aprahR^ishhTaa bhavishhyanti snushhaaste bharatakshaye || 2-8-12
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.12
“Rama’s wives will get delighted. Your daughters-in-law will be unhappy because of Bharata’s waning position.”
Comment: The words ‘Rama’s wives’ here do not indicate that Rama had multiple wives. Manathara refers to a possible future where Rama being a King would marry other women. It was a norm then for a king to have more than one wife.
तां दृष्ट्वा परमप्रीतां ब्रुवन्तीं मन्थरां ततः |
रामस्यैव गुणान् देवी कैकेयि प्रशशंस ह || २-८-१३
raamasyaiva guNaan devii kaikeyi prashashaMsa ha || 2-8-13
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.13
Hearing Manthara speak thus in many distasteful words, Kaikeyi began to extol Rama’s virtues, saying.
धर्मज्ञो गुरुभिर्दान्तः कृतज्ञ सत्यवाक्चुचि |
रामो राज्ञः सुतो ज्येष्ठो यौवराज्यमतोऽर्हति || २-८-१४
raamo raajJNH suto jyeshhTho yauvaraajyamato.arhati || 2-8-14
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.14
“Rama knows all righteousness. Elders trained him. He has a proper gratitude. He speaks truth. He has a clean conduct. He is the eldest son of king Dasaratha and hence eligible for the kingdom.”
भ्रात्ऱ्^ऊन्भृत्यांश्च दीर्घायुः पितृवत्पालयिष्यति |
संतप्यसे कथं कुब्जे श्रुत्वा रामाभिषेचनम् || २-८-१५
saMtapyase kathaM kubje shrutvaa raamaabhishhechanam || 2-8-15
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.15
“The long living Rama will protect his brothers and servants like a father. O, the hunch backed one! Why are you so pained on hearing about Rama’s coronation?”
भरतश्चापि रामस्य ध्रुवं वर्षशतात्परम् |
पितृपैतामहं राज्यमवाप्ता पुरुषर्षभः || २-८-१६
pitR^ipaitaamahaM raajyamavaaptaa purushharshhabhaH || 2-8-16
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.16
“After Rama’s rule for one hundred years, Bharata the best among men will certainly replace Rama on his father’s throne, which is that of his ancestors.”
सा त्वमभ्युदये प्राप्ते वर्तमाने च मन्थरे |
भविष्यति च कल्याणे किमर्थं परितप्यसे || २-८-१७
bhavishhyati cha kalyaaNe kimarthaM paritapyase || 2-8-17
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.17
“Oh, Manthara! When we got an occasion for rejoicing as at present and when a festive occasion is to come off in future (too in the form of Bharata’s installation, no matter even if it comes after a hundred years), why do you feel agonized like this as though burning (with jealousy)?”
यथा ने भरतो मान्यस्तथा भूयोऽपि राघावः |
कौसल्यातोऽरिक्तं च सो हि शुश्रूषते हि माम् || २-८-१८
kausalyaato.ariktaM cha so hi shushruushhate hi maam || 2-8-18
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.18
“For me, Rama is as lovable as Bharata and even more. Is he not doing more service to me than to Kausalya?”
राज्यं यदि हि रामस्य भरतस्यापि तत्तदा |
मन्यते हि यथात्मानं तथा भ्रात्ऱ्^ऊंश्च राघवः || २-८-१९
manyate hi yathaatmaanaM tathaa bhraatR^uuMshcha raaghavaH || 2-8-19
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.19
“If Rama has kingdom then Bharata has it as well. Rama esteems his brothers just as his own self.”
कैकेयीवचनं श्रुत्वा मन्थरा भृशदुःखिता |
दीर्घमुष्णं निःश्वस्य कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत् || २-८-२०
diirghamushhNaM niHshvasya kaikeyiimidamabraviit || 2-8-20
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.20
Manthara, after hearing Kaikeyi’s words, felt very sad and after a long and hot sigh, spoke to her the following words:
अनर्थदर्शिनी मौर्ख्यान्नात्मानमवबुध्यसे |
शोकव्यसनविस्तीर्णे मज्जन्ती दुःखसागरे || २-८-२१
shokavyasanavistiirNe majjantii duHkhasaagare || 2-8-21
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.21
“On one side, you are getting immersed in an ocean of sorrow filled with misery and danger. But due to stupidity, you are not able to perceive the truth and you fail to assess your real position.”
भविता राघवो राजा राघवस्यानु यः सुतः |
राजवंशात्तु कैकेयि भरतः परिहास्यते || २-८-२२
raajavaMshaattu kaikeyi bharataH parihaasyate || 2-8-22
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.22
“O,Kaikeyi! If Rama becomes the king, his son will become the king after him in succession. Thus, Bharata’s name itself will be removed from the royal clan.”
न हि राज्ञः सुताः सर्वे राज्ये तिष्ठन्ति भामिनि |
स्थाप्यमानेषु सर्वेषु सुमहाननयो भवेत् || २-८-२३
sthaapyamaaneshhu sarveshhu sumahaananayo bhavet || 2-8-23
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.23
“O, Kaikeyi! All the sons of a king will not be crowned for a kingdom. If all are installed, there will be a great lawlessness.”
तस्माज्ज्येष्ठे हि कैकेयि राज्यतन्त्राणि पार्थिवाः |
स्थापयन्त्यनवद्याङ्गि गुणवत्स्वतरेष्वपि || २-८-२४
sthaapayantyanavadyaaN^gi guNavatsvatareshhvapi || 2-8-24
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.24
“Therefore, kings, O, Kaikeyi of faultless limbs, install their eldest son, eventhough others may be full of virtues, as their successor to the throne.”
असावत्यन्तनिर्भग्न स्तवपुत्रो भविष्यति |
अनाथवत्सुखेभ्यश्च राजवंशाच्च वत्सले || २-८-२५
anaathavatsukhebhyashcha raajavaMshaachcha vatsale || 2-8-25
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.25
“Oh, Kaikeyi the affectionate one! Your son will be completely distant from comforts and even from the royal clan; like an orphan.”
साहं त्वदर्थे संप्राप्ता त्वं तु मां नावबुध्यसे |
सपत्निवृद्दौ या मे त्वं प्रदेयं दातुमिच्चिसि || २-८-२६
sapatnivR^iddau yaa me tvaM pradeyaM daatumichchisi || 2-8-26
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.26
“I came here in your interests. But you have not understood me. You think it fit to give me a present when your step-wife is getting prospered.”
ध्रुवं तु भरतं रामः प्राप्य राज्यमकण्टकम् |
देशान्तरं वासयिता लोकान्तरमथापि व || २-८-२७
deshaantaraM vaasayitaa lokaantaramathaapi va || 2-8-27
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.27
“Rama, ascending the throne without hindrance, will either send away Bharata to some other country or have him put to death. This is certain.”
बाल एव हि मातुल्यं भरतो नायितस्त्वया |
सन्निकर्षाच्च सौहार्दं जायते स्थावरेष्वपि || २-८-२८
sannikarshhaachcha sauhaardaM jaayate sthaavareshhvapi || 2-8-28
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.28
“You sent Bharata to his maternal uncle’s house even in his childhood. By being nearer, love is born even on inanimate objects. By sending Bharata to a distant place, you made Dasaratha to have no affection towards him.”
भरतस्यानुवशगः शत्रुघ्नोऽपि समं गतः |
लक्ष्मणो हि यथा रामं तथासौ भरतं गतः || २-८-२९
lakshmaNo hi yathaa raamaM tathaasau bharataM gataH || 2-8-29
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.29
“Shatrughna was drawn towards Bharata and went along with him. Just as Lakshmana joined Rama, Shatrughna joined Bharata.”
Comment: Sage Valmiki might be implying here that if Shatrughna were to be present then at Ayodhya, he would have tried for the prosperity of Bharata.
श्रूयते हि द्रुमः कश्चिच्चेत्तव्यो वनजीविभिः |
सन्निकर्षादिषीकाभिर्मो चितः परमाद्भयात् || २-८-३०
sannikarshhaadishhiikaabhirmo chitaH paramaadbhayaat || 2-8-30
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.30
“We hear that a tree marked down for felling by foresters, when covered by thorny Ishhiika grass, is saved from this great danger of cutting. So also, Dasaratha might have supported Bharata if he was staying near to him in Ayodhya.”
गोप्ता हि रामं सौमित्रिर्लक्ष्मणं चापि राघवः |
अश्विनोरिव सौभ्रात्रं तयोर्लोकेषु विश्रुतम् || २-८-३१
ashvinoriva saubhraatraM tayorlokeshhu vishrutam || 2-8-31
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.31
“Lakshmana protects Rama. Rama protects Lakshmana. Their brotherly love is as famous as that of Aswini celestials.”
तस्मान्न लक्ष्मणे रामः पापं किञ्चित्करिष्यति |
रामस्तु भरते पापं कुर्यादिति न संशयः || २-८-३२
raamastu bharate paapaM kuryaaditi na saMshayaH || 2-8-32
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.32
“Hence, Rama will not do a sinful act of killing Lakshmana. However there is no doubt that he will do so in the case of Bharata.”
तस्माद्राजगृहादेव वनं गच्छतु ते सुतः |
एतद्धि रोचते मह्यं भृश्ं चापि हितं तव || २-८-३३
etaddhi rochate mahyaM bhR^ishM chaapi hitaM tava || 2-8-33
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.33
“Hence, I feel that it is better for your son to go to forest directly from his uncle’s house. This is good for you too.”
एवं ते ज्ञातिपक्षस्य श्रेयश्चैव भविष्यति |
यदि चेद्भरतो धर्मात्पित्र्यं राज्यमवाप्स्यति || २-८-३४
yadi chedbharato dharmaatpitryaM raajyamavaapsyati || 2-8-34
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.34
“If Bharata gets his father’s kingdom as per law, it will be beneficial to you and your side of relatives.”
स ते सुखोचितो बालो रामस्य सहजो रिपुः |
समृद्धार्थस्य नष्टार्थो जीविष्यति कथं वशे || २-८-३५
samR^iddhaarthasya nashhTaartho jiivishhyati kathaM vashe || 2-8-35
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.35
“Your youthful son, habituated to comforts, is a natural enemy to Rama. How can Bharata who failed to achieve his purpose live under control of Rama; whose flourishing object has been realised?”
अभिद्रुतमिवारण्ये सिंहेन गजयूथपम् |
प्रच्छाद्यमानं रामेण भरतं त्रातुमर्हसि || २-८-३६
prachchhaadyamaanaM raameNa bharataM traatumarhasi || 2-8-36
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.36
“Rama is chasing and bringing down Bharata as a lion chases an elephant-king in forest. You ought to protect Bharata.”
दर्पान्निराकृता पूर्वं त्वया सौभाग्यवत्तया |
राममाता सपत्नी ते कथं वैरं न शातयेत् || २-८-३७
raamamaataa sapatnii te kathaM vairaM na shaatayet || 2-8-37
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.37
“Previously, you treated Kausalya with disrespect due to arrogance that you were fortunate. Will not such Kausalya, your rival wife, revenge for that animosity?”
यदा हि रामः पृथिवीमवाप्स्यति |
प्रभूतरत्नाकरशैलपत्तनाम् |
तदा गमिष्यस्यशुभं पराभवं |
सहैव दीना भरतेन भामिनि || २-८-३८
prabhuutaratnaakarashailapattanaam |
tadaa gamishhyasyashubhaM paraabhavaM |
sahaiva diinaa bharatena bhaamini || 2-8-38
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.38
“O, Kaikeyi! The day Rama becomes lord of this earth with its great oceans, mountains and towns; that day you and your Bharata will get a bad and pitiable position of ignominy.”
यदा हि रामः पृथिवीमवाप्स्यति |
ध्रुवं प्रणष्टो भरतो भविष्यति |
अतो हि संचिन्तय राज्यमात्मजे |
पर्स्य चैवाद्य विवासकारणम् || २-८-३९
dhruvaM praNashhTo bharato bhavishhyati |
ato hi saMchintaya raajyamaatmaje |
parsya chaivaadya vivaasakaaraNam || 2-8-39
ॐ
Show Description: Sloka 2.8.39
“When Rama gets power of the kingdom Bharata will certainly get ruined. Hence, think of a solution to get your son Bharata the kingdom and to send Rama, your enemy, to exile.”
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