Bharata’s nurse, radiant with happiness, could not contain her delight as she moved through the palace. Her face beamed with joy, and when she encountered Manthara, the hunchbacked maid, she could not keep the good news to herself. “Do you see the extraordinary joy among the people?” the nurse exclaimed. “Do you know what is about to happen? Tomorrow, under the auspicious Pushya star, our noble King Dasharatha will anoint Rama, the conqueror of anger and faultless in conduct, as crown prince!” But Manthara’s heart, always quick to anger and prone to suspicion, was inflamed by these words. She hurried down from the palace, which gleamed like Mount Kailasa, her mind burning with resentment. Seeking out Queen Kaikeyi, who lay resting in her chamber, Manthara spoke harshly, her voice sharp with agitation. “Get up, foolish woman!” she cried. “Why do you lie there so complacently? Calamity is about to befall you, but you, lost in your own comfort, do not even see it coming. You think yourself fortunate, but your fortune is as fickle as a river’s current in the heat of summer. You boast of happiness in what should bring you only sorrow!” These bitter words struck Kaikeyi deeply, and distress clouded her gentle face. Concerned, she looked at Manthara and asked, “Is all well, Manthara? Why do you look so troubled and agitated?” Manthara, skilled in the art of speech but now filled with ill intent, replied, her anger growing. “O Queen, a great and unending disaster is upon you! King Dasharatha has decided to anoint Rama as crown prince. I am consumed by fear and sorrow; I feel as if I am burning in a fire. I have come here only for your welfare, for your sorrow is my sorrow, your decline is my decline, and your prosperity is my own.” She continued, “You were born into royalty and are the chief queen, yet you do not understand the gravity of royal affairs. Your husband speaks of righteousness, but he is cunning; his words are sweet, but his heart is hard. Because of your pure nature, you have been thoroughly deceived. He comes to you now with empty consolations, but in truth, he will unite Kausalya with prosperity and cast you aside. That wicked-hearted man, having removed Bharata from your kin, will soon install Rama on the throne, with all obstacles swept away.” Manthara’s words grew more venomous. “Your husband is an enemy disguised as a spouse. Even your own mother, who claims to wish you well, is like a venomous snake embraced by a child. Just as an enemy or a neglected serpent would act, so King Dasharatha has treated you and your son today. You, so used to comfort, have been ruined along with your kin by this deceitful man, who soothes you with false words while installing Rama as king.” She urged Kaikeyi, “Act quickly, Kaikeyi! Save your son, yourself, and me, for I have witnessed all this with astonishment.” But Kaikeyi, upon hearing these words, did not react as Manthara had expected. Instead, she rose from her bed, her beautiful face shining with joy, as radiant as the crescent moon in autumn. Delighted by the news, she rewarded Manthara with a splendid divine ornament and spoke warmly, “The news you have brought me is most pleasing, Manthara. Tell me what more I can do for you, for you have filled me with happiness. I see no difference between Rama and Bharata; I am truly pleased that the king will anoint Rama as heir. There is no greater boon for me than this. You, who are so dear to me, have spoken sweet and delightful words—choose whatever you desire as your reward.” But Manthara, her heart consumed by envy, flung aside the ornament. Her anger and sorrow only deepened. “Why do you rejoice so foolishly, my queen?” she demanded. “Do you not realize you are standing in the midst of an ocean of sorrow? Though I am overwhelmed with grief, I restrain myself for your sake. Why do you celebrate when you should be mourning, having encountered such great misfortune?” She lamented, “I grieve for your lack of understanding. What wise woman would rejoice at the rise of a rival wife’s son, as if death itself had come? My fear is not only for Bharata, but for the threat Rama poses to the rightful share of the kingdom. That is why I am so distressed. Lakshmana is wholly devoted to Rama, just as Shatrughna is to Bharata. Even though, by order of birth, the succession should have come to Bharata, the royal succession has been assigned instead to those two, who are younger.” Manthara concluded bitterly, “Indeed, Kausalya is truly fortunate, for her son will be consecrated tomorrow as crown prince, under the Pushya star, by the foremost of Brahmanas. When Rama is crowned, and the earth rejoices with confidence and all enemies are subdued, you will serve Kausalya with joined palms, like a servant. You and I will become her attendants, and your son Bharata will become Rama’s servant. Rama’s chief wives will be delighted, but your daughters-in-law will not rejoice at Bharata’s decline.” Thus did Manthara, driven by envy and fear, seek to sow seeds of doubt and distress in Kaikeyi’s heart, warning her of the calamity she believed was about to befall them all.