Manthara Sets the Hunter's Trap around Kaikeyi
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 17
Doha 17 · Movement 1 of 2
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Kaikeyi asks again and again, like a doe listening to a hunter's beautiful song. Manthara feels the trap close and pretends reluctance, reminding the queen that she was already branded a destroyer of households.
After weaving trust, she admits that Ram and Sita once loved Kaikeyi and Kaikeyi loved them. Then she declares those days past, comparing changed affection to a sun that nourishes lotuses but burns them when water disappears.
Kausalya becomes an imagined rival preparing destruction. Manthara urges Kaikeyi to seize the old boon as a shield. Love is not denied outright; it is moved into the past, so fear may occupy the present.
The hunter's song keeps its sweetness while Kaikeyi's trust steps deeper into the snare.
Read the passage from the Manas
सादर पुनि पुनि पूँछति ओही। सबरी गान मृगी जनु मोही।। तसि मति फिरी अहइ जसि भाबी। रहसी चेरि घात जनु फाबी।। तुम्ह पूँछहु मैं कहत डेराऊँ। धरेउ मोर घरफोरी नाऊँ।। सजि प्रतीति बहुबिधि गढ़ि छोली। अवध साढ़साती तब बोली।। प्रिय सिय रामु कहा तुम्ह रानी। रामहि तुम्ह प्रिय सो फुरि बानी।। रहा प्रथम अब ते दिन बीते। समउ फिरें रिपु होहिं पिंरीते।। भानु कमल कुल पोषनिहारा। बिनु जल जारि करइ सोइ छारा।। जरि तुम्हारि चह सवति उखारी। रूँधहु करि उपाउ बर बारी।।
Respectfully she asks the same question again and again, like a doe enchanted by a hunter's song. Her mind has turned as fate would have it. The maid exults, as though her trap has found its mark. You ask, yet I am afraid to speak. You have already branded me a house-wrecker. Building trust through many devices and weaving her deceptions, the evil star of Ayodhya then spoke. O Queen, you have said that Sita and Rama are dear to you, and that you are dear to Rama. This is well known. So it was before, but those days have passed. When times turn, even loved ones become enemies. The very sun that nourishes the family of lotuses, when water fails, burns that same family to ashes. Your co-wife schemes to burn and uproot you. Block her path by wielding the boon as your shield.