A Web of Suspicion Is Drawn around the Coronation
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 18
Doha 18 · Movement 1 of 2
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Manthara portrays Kausalya as deep and calculating. Bharata's journey to his maternal family, Dasharatha's affection for Kaikeyi, and the chosen coronation hour are pulled together as strands of one secret plot.
She concedes that Ram deserves the crown and that everyone, even she, finds the prospect splendid. This fragment of agreement makes the surrounding falsehood sound measured rather than hostile.
Then she turns from the present ceremony toward an invented future in which all consequences fall upon Kaikeyi. Nothing visible has changed, yet each innocent fact receives a sinister shadow. The coronation's gold is covered by a web woven entirely from interpretation.
Manthara leaves every fact in place and darkens each one by changing the light around it.
Read the passage from the Manas
चतुर गँभीर राम महतारी। बीचु पाइ निज बात सँवारी।। पठए भरतु भूप ननिअउरें। राम मातु मत जानव रउरें।। सेवहिं सकल सवति मोहि नीकें। गरबित भरत मातु बल पी कें।। सालु तुम्हार कौसिलहि माई। कपट चतुर नहिं होइ जनाई।। राजहि तुम्ह पर प्रेमु बिसेषी। सवति सुभाउ सकइ नहिं देखी।। रची प्रंपचु भूपहि अपनाई। राम तिलक हित लगन धराई।। यह कुल उचित राम कहुँ टीका। सबहि सोहाइ मोहि सुठि नीका।। आगिलि बात समुझि डरु मोही। देउ दैउ फिरि सो फलु ओही।।
Rama's mother is clever and deep. Finding her opportunity, she has carefully arranged her scheme. The king sent Bharata away to his maternal uncle's house. Does Rama's mother's plan not seem clear to you? All the co-wives serve me well enough, but Bharata's mother has grown proud on the strength of her husband's favor. Your rival Kaushalya, O mother, is skilled in deception, though she never lets it show. The king has special love for you, yet the co-wife's true nature he cannot see. She has woven a web of intrigue, won over the king, and fixed the auspicious date for Rama's coronation. This crown is fitting for Rama in this royal line; it pleases everyone, and to me too it looks splendid. But thinking of what lies ahead, I am filled with dread. Providence may turn, and the fruit will fall upon you alone.