Manthara Sees Celebration and Begins to Plot
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 13
Doha 13 · Movement 1 of 2
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Manthara sees Ayodhya beautifully decorated and hears sweet music of blessing. When she learns that Ram's coronation is near, the city's joy becomes anguish within her, and she begins plotting how to ruin it before night ends.
Like a hunter who sees honey and devises a theft, she studies the celebration for weakness. Then she goes weeping to Kaikeyi, refusing to explain, drawing long sighs and letting tears create alarm.
Kaikeyi initially laughs and assumes Lakshmana has scolded the boastful maid. Manthara remains silent, breathing like a dark serpent. The first weapon is not accusation but withheld speech, forcing affection to lean closer toward the trap.
Outside, coronation music rises; inside, Manthara sharpens silence into the first instrument of fear.
Read the passage from the Manas
दीख मंथरा नगरु बनावा। मंजुल मंगल बाज बधावा।। पूछेसि लोगन्ह काह उछाहू। राम तिलकु सुनि भा उर दाहू।। करइ बिचारु कुबुद्धि कुजाती। होइ अकाजु कवनि बिधि राती।। देखि लागि मधु कुटिल किराती। जिमि गवँ तकइ लेउँ केहि भाँती।। भरत मातु पहिं गइ बिलखानी। का अनमनि हसि कह हँसि रानी।। ऊतरु देइ न लेइ उसासू। नारि चरित करि ढारइ आँसू।। हँसि कह रानि गालु बड़ तोरें। दीन्ह लखन सिख अस मन मोरें।। तबहुँ न बोल चेरि बड़ि पापिनि। छाड़इ स्वास कारि जनु साँपिनि।।
Manthara saw the city beautifully decorated, with sweet, auspicious music of congratulations resounding. She asked the people what the celebration was about. Hearing of Rama's tilak (coronation), her heart burned with anguish. The wicked, low-minded woman began plotting: how could she bring ruin by nightfall? Like a cunning kiraatee (huntress) who spots honey and schemes how to steal it, so she eyed the scene. She went to Bharata's mother, weeping and wailing. 'Why are you so distracted?' the queen asked with a laugh. Manthara gave no answer, only drew long sighs. Employing the ways of women, she shed tears. The queen laughed and said, 'You are very boastful. In my mind, Lakshmana must have scolded you.' Still the greatly sinful maid did not speak, but heaved sighs like a black serpent.