Mantharā, filled with envy and agitation, cast aside the ornament she held and, her heart burning with anger and sorrow, turned to Queen Kaikeyī and spoke sharply. “Why, foolish one, do you rejoice without cause?” she demanded. “Do you not see that you are surrounded by an ocean of sorrow? Though grief overwhelms me, I restrain myself for your sake, O queen. Why are you joyful when you ought to mourn, having encountered such misfortune?” Mantharā lamented Kaikeyī’s lack of understanding, questioning, “What wise woman would celebrate the rise of a rival wife’s son, as if death itself had come?” Her distress was not only for Bharata, but also out of fear for Rāma, especially regarding the sharing of the kingdom. She explained, “Fear arises from one who is afraid, and I am troubled after considering these things.” She continued, “Mighty-armed Lakṣmaṇa is wholly devoted to Rāma, just as Śatrughna is devoted to Bharata, mirroring Lakṣmaṇa’s loyalty to the scion of Kakutstha. Even though, O beautiful one, by the order of proximity the succession should have gone to Bharata, the royal succession has been assigned to the two younger brothers.” Mantharā spoke with bitterness, “Indeed, Kausalyā is fortunate. Her son will be consecrated tomorrow as crown prince, under the Pushya constellation, by the foremost Brāhmaṇas. When the earth is won, joy and confidence will fill the land, and enemies will be subdued. Then you will attend upon Kausalyā with joined palms, like a servant. Together with us, you will become her attendant, and your son will serve Rāma. Rāma’s chief wives will rejoice, while your daughters-in-law will not celebrate Bharata’s decline.” Despite Mantharā’s words, Queen Kaikeyī, feeling supreme satisfaction, praised only Rāma’s virtues. She spoke warmly, “Rāma, the eldest son of the king, knows righteousness. He is virtuous, self-controlled, grateful, truthful, and pure; therefore, he deserves the succession. He will protect his brothers and servants like a father. Why, O hunchback, are you troubled by Rāma’s consecration? Surely, after a hundred years, Bharata too, the best of men, will inherit the kingdom from Rāma, as his father and grandfather did. When prosperity and happiness are at hand, why do you burn within and grieve at this good fortune?” Kaikeyī continued, “Just as Bharata is honored, so is Rāghava even more; besides Kausalyā, he serves me greatly. If the kingdom belongs to Rāma, it belongs to Bharata as well, for Rāghava regards his brothers as himself.” Hearing Kaikeyī’s words, Mantharā grew deeply distressed. She sighed long and hot, then spoke again, “Because of your foolishness, you do not see misfortune. You do not understand yourself, sinking in a sea of sorrow and calamity. Rāghava will become king, and his son after him; but Bharata, O Kaikeyī, will be cast aside from the royal line. Not all the king’s sons remain in the kingdom; if all were installed, there would be great disorder. Therefore, kings always entrust the affairs of the kingdom to the eldest, even if the others are virtuous.” Mantharā warned, “Your son will be 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 reward me for increasing your advantage over your co-wife. Surely, when Rāma gains the unchallenged kingdom, he will send Bharata to a distant land, or even to another world.” She recalled, “While Bharata was still a child, you did not keep him near his maternal uncle. Closeness breeds affection, even among the immovable. Because of Bharata, Shatrughna has become just like him; just as Lakṣmaṇa follows Rāma, so does Shatrughna follow Bharata. It is said 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.” Mantharā assured, “Rāma will surely protect Lakṣmaṇa, and Rāghava will protect Lakṣmaṇa as well; their brotherhood is renowned in the world, like that of the Aśvins. Therefore, Rāma will not commit any wrong against Lakṣmaṇa; but Rāma might indeed commit wrong against Bharata—of this there is no doubt. Therefore, let Rāghava go to the forest from the royal palace; this pleases me and is greatly beneficial for you. In this way, your family’s welfare will be secured, if Bharata obtains the ancestral kingdom in accordance with righteousness.” She cautioned, “That boy, accustomed to comfort, is a natural enemy of Rāma; 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 overshadowed by Rāma. Once, due to your pride in your good fortune, you rejected Rāma’s mother, your co-wife; how will she not harbor enmity toward you? When Rāma gains the earth, adorned with treasures and mountains, then, O gentle lady, you will suffer misfortune and defeat, together with the sorrowful Bharata.” Mantharā concluded, “When Rāma gains the earth, Bharata will surely be lost; therefore, consider the kingdom for your own son, and the reason for the other’s exile.” At this point, the ninth chapter begins. Thus addressed, Kaikeyī’s face blazed with anger. She exhaled a long, hot breath and spoke her words to Mantharā.