Absorbed in supreme joy and focused on generosity, Rama’s mother, Kausalya, was distributing wealth among the people. The city was alive with extraordinary happiness, and people wondered at the cause of such delight. What was the king, so full of joy, about to do? The nurse, overwhelmed with excitement, shared the news of Rama’s great fortune with Manthara, the hunchbacked attendant. She revealed, “Tomorrow, under the auspicious Pushya star, King Dasharatha will anoint Rama, the conqueror of anger and free from fault, as the crown prince.” Hearing these words, Manthara, who was quick to anger, descended from the palace, which stood high like the peak of Mount Kailasa. Burning with resentment, she went straight to Kaikeyi, who was reclining at ease, and spoke with harsh urgency: “Get up, foolish woman! Why do you lie there, blind to the danger approaching you? You are overwhelmed by a flood of misfortune and do not even perceive your own plight. Though you seem fortunate, you take pride in what is actually undesirable; your luck is as fickle as a river’s current during the hot season.” Stung by Manthara’s harsh words, Kaikeyi fell into deep distress. She asked softly, “Is all well, Manthara? For you seem troubled and greatly afflicted.” In reply, Manthara, skilled in speech but filled with anger, spoke again, her tone even more dejected, though she claimed to wish Kaikeyi well. Her intent was to sow distress and separate Kaikeyi from Rama. “O Queen, a great and unending calamity has begun for you: King Dasharatha will anoint Rama as crown prince. I am seized by fear and grief, burning as if by fire, and I have come for your sake. Your sorrow will be my sorrow, your decline my decline, your prosperity my prosperity—of this, there is no doubt. “You are born of a royal family and are the chief queen, yet how is it that you do not understand the gravity of royal affairs? Your husband may speak of righteousness, but he is deceitful; his words are gentle, but his heart is harsh. Trusting him with your pure heart, you have been thoroughly deceived. Now, he comes to you with empty consolations, but in truth, today he will unite Kausalya with prosperity. “That wicked-hearted man, having removed Bharata from your kin, will soon install Rama in the kingdom with all obstacles swept away. An enemy disguised as a husband, and a mother who claims to wish you well, are like a venomous serpent embraced by a child—so have you been held. Just as an enemy or a neglected serpent would act, so today King Dasharatha has treated you and your son. “O naive one, always accustomed to comfort, you and your kin have been destroyed by the sinful one who, with false soothing words, is placing Rama on the throne. Therefore, Kaikeyi, act quickly for your own good at this opportune time; save your son, yourself, and me, who am witnessing this with astonishment.” Hearing Manthara’s words, the beautiful-faced Kaikeyi rose from her bed, radiant with joy, like the crescent moon in autumn. Filled with delight and wonder, she gave Manthara a splendid divine ornament. Having bestowed this gift, Kaikeyi, still delighted, spoke again: “This news you have brought is most pleasing to me, Manthara, truly dear to my heart. Tell me what more I can do for you, for you have brought me such joy. I see no difference between Rama and Bharata; I am pleased that the king will anoint Rama as heir to the throne. There is no greater boon for me than this. You, who are worthy of affection, have spoken sweet and delightful words, like nectar. Since you have spoken thus, I grant you the highest and best boon—choose what you desire.” But Manthara, envious and filled with anger and sorrow, cast aside the ornament and spoke sharply: “Why have you, foolish one, rejoiced without cause? Do you not see that you are surrounded by an ocean of sorrow? Though I am overwhelmed by grief, I restrain myself for your sake. Why do you rejoice when you should mourn, having met with such great misfortune? I grieve for your lack of understanding. What wise woman would delight at the rise of a rival wife’s son, as if death itself had approached? “It is out of fear for Rama, not just for Bharata, regarding the sharing of the kingdom; having considered this, I am distressed, for fear arises from one who is afraid. Mighty-armed Lakshmana is wholly devoted to Rama, just as Shatrughna is to Bharata, as Lakshmana is to the scion of Kakutstha. Even though, O beautiful one, the succession should have come to Bharata by the order of proximity, the royal succession has been assigned to those two who are younger. “Indeed, fortunate is Kausalya, whose son will be consecrated tomorrow to the high office of crown prince, under the Pushya constellation, by the foremost of Brahmanas. When the earth, filled with joy and confidence, is won and enemies subdued, you will attend upon Kausalya with joined palms, like a servant. Thus, together with us, you will become her attendant, and your son will become a servant to Rama.” Thus did Manthara speak, pouring her venom into Kaikeyi’s heart, seeking to turn her joy into alarm and to draw her away from Rama.