Manthara, the hunchbacked maid, approached Queen Kaikeyi with urgency and agitation, her words sharp and unsettling. She warned Kaikeyi that King Dasharatha had treated her and her son Bharata as one might treat an enemy or a neglected serpent—dangerously and with disregard. Manthara, seeing Kaikeyi always accustomed to comfort and ease, declared that she and her kin had been ruined by the king, who, with deceitful soothing words, was preparing to place Rama upon the throne. Manthara urged Kaikeyi to act swiftly, to seize this opportune moment for her own welfare, and to save herself, her son, and Manthara herself, who watched the unfolding events with astonishment. Hearing Manthara’s words, Kaikeyi, radiant and beautiful, rose from her bed, filled with joy like the crescent moon in autumn. Overwhelmed by delight and wonder, Kaikeyi rewarded Manthara with a splendid divine ornament, and, after giving it, she spoke to Manthara again. Kaikeyi told Manthara that the news she brought was most pleasing and dear to her, and asked what more she could do for her, since Manthara had given her such happiness. Kaikeyi explained that she saw no difference between Rama and Bharata; thus, she was glad that the king would anoint Rama as heir. She considered this the greatest boon, and, addressing Manthara with affection, she granted her the highest reward, inviting her to choose whatever she desired. But Manthara, envious and deeply disturbed, cast aside the ornament, her anger and sorrow evident. She rebuked Kaikeyi for rejoicing without cause, warning her that she was surrounded by an ocean of sorrow. Though grief weighed heavily upon Manthara, she restrained herself for Kaikeyi’s sake and questioned why Kaikeyi was joyful when she should be mourning such misfortune. Manthara lamented Kaikeyi’s lack of understanding, wondering what wise woman would celebrate the rise of a rival wife’s son, as if it were the arrival of death itself. She confessed that her fear was not just for Bharata, but for Rama, regarding the sharing of the kingdom. This fear, she said, was born from one who is afraid. Manthara explained that Lakshmana was wholly devoted to Rama, just as Shatrughna was devoted to Bharata. Yet, although succession by proximity should favor Bharata, the royal succession was being given to those younger. Manthara pointed out that Kausalya was fortunate, for her son Rama would be consecrated the next day as crown prince under the Pushya constellation, by the foremost Brahmanas. She warned Kaikeyi that when the earth was won and enemies subdued, Kaikeyi would be forced to serve Kausalya with joined palms, like a servant. Kaikeyi and her son would become attendants to Rama, and Rama’s chief wives would rejoice, while Kaikeyi’s daughters-in-law would not celebrate Bharata’s decline. Yet, seeing Manthara speak thus, Queen Kaikeyi praised Rama’s virtues. She declared that Rama, the king’s eldest son, was righteous, virtuous, self-controlled, grateful, truthful, and pure, and therefore deserved the succession. Rama, she said, would protect his brothers and servants like a father, so she questioned why Manthara was troubled by Rama’s consecration. Kaikeyi assured Manthara that, after a hundred years, Bharata too would inherit the kingdom from Rama, as the best of men. She wondered why Manthara grieved at such good fortune, when prosperity and happiness were at hand. Kaikeyi insisted that Rama honored Bharata, and served her greatly besides Kausalya. To Kaikeyi, if the kingdom belonged to Rama, it belonged to Bharata as well, for Rama regarded his brothers as himself. Hearing Kaikeyi’s words, Manthara was deeply distressed. She sighed long and hot, and spoke again to Kaikeyi, accusing her of foolishness for not seeing the impending misfortune or understanding her own situation, as she sank in a sea of sorrow and calamity. Manthara warned that Rama would become king, and his son after him, while Bharata would be cast aside from the royal line. Manthara explained that not all the king’s sons remained in the kingdom; if all were installed, there would be great disorder. Thus, kings always entrusted the kingdom to the eldest, even if the others were virtuous. She warned that Bharata would be utterly broken, deprived of comforts and royal lineage. Manthara reminded Kaikeyi that she had come for her sake, and expected a reward for increasing Kaikeyi’s advantage over her co-wife. She insisted that when Rama obtained the unchallenged kingdom, he would send Bharata to a distant land, or even another world. Manthara noted that Bharata, as a child, was not kept near his maternal uncle by Kaikeyi, and that closeness breeds affection, even among the immovable. Because of Bharata, Shatrughna had become just like him; just as Lakshmana followed Rama, so did Shatrughna follow Bharata. Manthara likened the situation to a tree meant to be cut down by forest dwellers, stripped of its branches by arrows out of fear due to its nearness. She assured Kaikeyi that Rama would protect Lakshmana, and their brotherhood was renowned in the world, like that of the Ashvins. Thus, Manthara continued to fill Kaikeyi’s mind with doubts and fears, sowing seeds of anxiety about the fate of her son and her own position in the palace, as the momentous consecration of Rama approached.