Mantharā, the royal maid, spoke with certainty: “Rāma’s chief wives will surely be delighted, but your daughters-in-law will not rejoice if Bharata’s fortunes wane.” Hearing Mantharā’s words, Queen Kaikeyī was filled with supreme satisfaction, and she praised only the virtues of Rāma. She spoke of him as the eldest son of the king, a man who knows righteousness, is virtuous, self-controlled, grateful, truthful, and pure. Because of these qualities, Kaikeyī declared, Rāma deserves the succession. She continued, “Rāma, blessed with long life, will protect his brothers and servants as a father would. So, O hunchback, why are you troubled at the news of Rāma’s consecration? After a hundred years, Bharata too, the best of men, will inherit the kingdom from Rāma, as his father and grandfather did. When prosperity has come and happiness is at hand, why, Mantharā, do you burn within and grieve at this good fortune?” Kaikeyī explained that just as Bharata is honored, so too is Rāghava—indeed, even more so. Besides Kausalyā, Rāma serves Kaikeyī greatly. “If the kingdom belongs to Rāma, it belongs to Bharata as well, for Rāghava regards his brothers as himself.” Upon hearing these words, Mantharā became deeply distressed. She sighed long and hot, then addressed Kaikeyī: “Because of your foolishness, you do not see the misfortune before you, nor do you 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, O beautiful one; if all were installed, there would be great disorder. Therefore, kings always entrust the kingdom’s affairs to the eldest, even if the others are also virtuous.” Mantharā warned, “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 reward me for increasing your advantage over your co-wife. Surely, when Rāma obtains the unchallenged kingdom, he will send Bharata to a distant land, or even to another world.” She reminded Kaikeyī, “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 Lakṣmaṇa follows Rāma, so does Shatrughna follow Bharata. 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.” Mantharā continued, “Rāma will surely protect Lakṣmaṇa, and Rāghava will protect him 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 is what pleases me, and it is 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.” Mantharā pressed her point: “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 being 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?” She warned further, “When Rāma gains the earth, adorned with abundant treasures and mountains, then, O gentle lady, you will suffer misfortune and defeat, together with the sorrowful Bharata. 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.” Let the ninth chapter be heard. Thus addressed, Kaikeyī’s face blazed with anger. She exhaled a long, hot breath and spoke to Mantharā: “Today, I will quickly send Rāma from here to the forest, and I will swiftly anoint Bharata for the princely succession. Now consider how I might accomplish this, so that Bharata obtains the kingdom and Rāma does not, by any means.” Thus addressed by the queen, Mantharā, who saw only evil and sought to harm Rāma, spoke these words to Kaikeyī: “Now, Kaikeyī, observe carefully and listen to my words, so that your son Bharata alone will obtain the kingdom. Why do you not remember, Kaikeyī, or if you do, why do you conceal it, when you wish to hear from me something that concerns your own interest? If you wish to hear what I am about to say, O playful one, then listen; I will tell you, and having heard, you should act accordingly.” Hearing Mantharā’s words, Kaikeyī rose a little from her well-spread bed and spoke as follows. Thus addressed by the queen, Mantharā, who sought to harm Rāma, spoke again to Kaikeyī: “Long ago, in the war between the gods and demons, your husband, along with the royal sages, took you with him to assist the lord of the gods. Kaikeyī, taking the southern direction toward Daṇḍaka, to the city called Vaijayantam, where the banner of the shark was raised…” And so, the conversation between Kaikeyī and Mantharā unfolded, setting in motion the events that would change the fortunes of the royal house.