Having gifted a precious ornament to Manthara, the hunchbacked attendant, Queen Kaikeyi felt immense delight and spoke to her again, her voice warm and grateful. “O Manthara, the news you have brought me fills me with joy—it is truly dear to my heart. Tell me, what more can I do for you? You have given me such happiness; ask for anything you wish.” Kaikeyi continued, “I see no difference between Rama and Bharata, and so 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. Because you have spoken thus, I grant you the highest and best boon—choose what you desire.” Now, listen to the eighth chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Ayodhyā section. But Manthara, envious and agitated, cast aside the ornament Kaikeyi had given her. Her heart filled with anger and sorrow, she spoke sharply. “Why have you, foolish one, rejoiced without cause? Do you not realize that you are surrounded by 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?” Manthara’s words grew more intense. “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? 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 continued, “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.” Despite Manthara’s passionate warnings, Queen Kaikeyi, seeing her speak thus, felt supreme satisfaction and praised 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?” Kaikeyi added, “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.” Hearing Kaikeyi’s words, Manthara, deeply distressed, sighed long and hot, then spoke again. “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.” Manthara pressed her point, “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. Surely, when Rama obtains the unchallenged kingdom, he will send Bharata to a distant land, or even to another world. While still a child, Bharata was not kept near his maternal uncle by you; closeness breeds affection, even among the immovable. Because of Bharata, Shatrughna too has become just like him; just as Lakshmana follows Rama, so does he follow Bharata.” She offered an analogy, “It is heard that a certain tree, meant to be cut down by forest dwellers, is stripped of its branches by arrows out of great fear due to its nearness. Rama will surely protect Lakshmana, and Raghava will protect Lakshmana as well; their brotherhood is renowned in the world, like that of the Ashvins. Therefore, Rama will not commit any wrong against Lakshmana; but Rama might indeed commit wrong against Bharata—of this there is no doubt.” Manthara concluded, “Therefore, let Raghava go to the forest from the royal palace; this is what pleases me, and it is also greatly beneficial for you. In this way, the welfare of your family will be secured, if Bharata obtains the ancestral kingdom in accordance with righteousness. That boy, accustomed to comfort, is a natural enemy of Rama; how will he, deprived of prosperity, live under the control of one who has everything? Just as a leader of elephants is chased in the forest by a lion, so must you protect Bharata, who is being overshadowed by Rama.” Thus, Manthara’s words, laden with anxiety and cunning, sought to stir Kaikeyi’s heart, urging her to act for her son’s sake, while Kaikeyi, steadfast in her love and faith in Rama, struggled to comprehend the gravity of Manthara’s warnings.