Manthara, the hunchbacked maid, approached Queen Kaikeyi with urgent words, her voice sharp with concern. “You were born into a royal family and are the chief queen of the king,” she began. “How is it, O queen, that you do not grasp the gravity of royal duties? Your husband, though he speaks of righteousness, is in truth deceitful; his words may be gentle, but his nature is harsh. You, with your pure heart, trust him, and so you have been thoroughly deceived.” She leaned in, her tone insistent. “Now he comes to you with empty consolations, but know this: today your husband will bring prosperity to Kausalya. That wicked-hearted man, having removed Bharata from your kin, will soon install Rama as king, with all obstacles swept away. An enemy, disguised as a husband, and a mother who claims to wish you well—such is your fate, like a child embracing a venomous serpent. Just as an enemy or a neglected serpent would act, so today King Dasharatha has treated you and your son.” Manthara’s words grew more urgent. “O naive one, always accustomed to comfort, you have been destroyed along with your kin 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, filled with joy, her countenance shining like the crescent moon in autumn. Overcome with pleasure and wonder, Kaikeyi gifted Manthara a splendid divine ornament. Delighted, she spoke warmly to her maid, “This most pleasing news you have brought me, Manthara, is truly dear to me. Tell me, what more can I do for you, since you have brought me such joy?” She continued, “I see no difference between Rama and Bharata; therefore, 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 whatever you desire.” But Manthara, envious and dismayed, cast aside the ornament. Her heart burning with anger and sorrow, she spoke: “Why have you, foolish one, rejoiced without cause? Do you not realize you are in the midst of an ocean of sorrow? Though I am overwhelmed by grief, I restrain myself for your sake, O queen. Why are you joyful when you should be mourning, having encountered such great misfortune?” She lamented Kaikeyi’s lack of understanding. “What wise woman would rejoice at the rise of a rival wife’s son, as if death itself had come? 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. For mighty-armed Lakshmana is wholly devoted to Rama, and likewise, 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.” Manthara’s voice trembled with emotion. “Indeed, fortunate is Kausalya, whose son will be consecrated tomorrow to the great 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 are 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. Surely, Rama’s chief wives will be delighted, while your daughters-in-law will not rejoice at Bharata’s decline.” Yet, hearing Manthara’s words, Queen Kaikeyi, filled with supreme satisfaction, praised only Rama’s virtues. “Rama, the eldest son of the king, knows righteousness, is virtuous, self-controlled, grateful, truthful, and pure; therefore, he deserves the succession. He, long-lived, will protect his brothers and servants like a father; so why, O hunchback, are you troubled upon hearing of Rama’s consecration? And surely, after a hundred years, Bharata too, the best of men, will obtain the kingdom of his father and grandfather from Rama. So, when prosperity has come and happiness is at hand, why, Manthara, do you burn within and grieve at this good fortune? Just as Bharata is honored, so too is Raghava even more; besides Kausalya, he serves me greatly. If the kingdom is Rama’s, it is also Bharata’s; for Raghava regards his brothers as himself.” But Manthara, deeply distressed by Kaikeyi’s words, sighed long and hot, and replied, “Because of your foolishness, you do not see misfortune, nor do you understand yourself, sinking in a sea of sorrow and calamity. Raghava will become king, and his son after him; but Bharata, O Kaikeyi, will be cast aside from the royal line. For, O beautiful one, not all the king’s sons remain in the kingdom; if all were installed, there would be great disorder. Therefore, O faultless one, kings always entrust the affairs of the kingdom to the eldest, even if the others are also virtuous. Your son will become utterly broken, as if orphaned, deprived of comforts and the royal lineage, O affectionate one. I have come here for your sake, but you do not recognize me; you ought to give me the reward I deserve for increasing your advantage over your co-wife.” Thus, the words of Manthara, filled with anxiety and cunning, began to sow the seeds of doubt and unrest within Queen Kaikeyi’s heart, setting in motion a fateful turn in the royal house of Ayodhya.