Kaikeyī, the queen, had been addressed by Mantharā, her attendant, who harbored ill intentions toward Rāma and sought to harm him. With a calculating mind, Mantharā spoke to Kaikeyī, urging her to pay close attention to her words, for they held the key to ensuring that only her son, Bharata, would inherit the kingdom. Mantharā questioned Kaikeyī’s memory and motives, asking why she did not recall—or perhaps deliberately concealed—matters crucial to her own interests. She pressed Kaikeyī to listen carefully to what she was about to reveal, promising guidance if Kaikeyī would heed her advice. Upon hearing Mantharā’s words, Kaikeyī rose slightly from her well-arranged bed and addressed her attendant. Mantharā, intent on her scheme, continued to speak, reminding Kaikeyī of events from long ago. She recounted how, during the great war between the gods and demons, Kaikeyī’s husband, King Daśaratha, accompanied by royal sages, had taken Kaikeyī with him to assist the lord of the gods. Kaikeyī had traveled southward toward Daṇḍaka, to the city of Vaijayantam, where the shark-banner was raised. There, a mighty demon named Śambara, master of a hundred magical illusions, had fought Indra and remained undefeated by the hosts of gods. In that fierce battle, the demons drove away the men and, at night, cruelly killed the wounded and sleeping. Daśaratha himself fought valiantly against the demons, his powerful arms shattered by weapons. When he fell unconscious on the battlefield, Kaikeyī carried him away, protecting him even though he was wounded. Pleased by her devotion and courage, Daśaratha granted Kaikeyī two boons, telling her she could claim them whenever she wished. At that time, Kaikeyī replied that she would accept them when she desired, and her noble husband agreed. Mantharā confessed that she had not known of this until Kaikeyī had previously told her. Out of affection for Kaikeyī, Mantharā had kept this story in her mind. Now, she urged Kaikeyī to prevent the preparations for Rāma’s consecration and to turn them back. She advised Kaikeyī to ask Daśaratha for the two boons: to anoint Bharata as king and to exile Rāma for fourteen years. Mantharā explained that during Rāma’s fourteen-year absence in the forest, Bharata would grow strong and become firmly established in the hearts of the people. She instructed Kaikeyī to enter the chamber of anger, feigning rage against Daśaratha, and to remain hidden on the floor in soiled garments. Kaikeyī was told not to look at or speak to the king; when he, longing for her and sorrowful, came to her, she should remain weeping but not address him. Mantharā assured Kaikeyī of her husband’s deep affection, saying she was always dear to him—so much so that Daśaratha would even enter fire for her sake. He could not become angry with her, nor bear to look at her when she was angry; for her sake, he would even give up his life. The king could not transgress her word, and Mantharā urged Kaikeyī to recognize the power of her own good fortune. She cautioned Kaikeyī not to desire pearls, gems, gold, or other jewels that Daśaratha might offer, but instead to remind him of the two boons he had granted her during the war between gods and demons. That promise must not be broken. Mantharā advised that when Rāma himself raised her up and the king was present, Kaikeyī should choose this boon: Rāma’s exile for fourteen years—nine and five—and Bharata’s enthronement as king. She repeated that during Rāma’s time in the forest, Bharata would grow strong and become established. Mantharā urged Kaikeyī to ask for Rāma’s exile, assuring her that all Bharata’s desires would be fulfilled. With Rāma exiled, Bharata would be free from enemies and become king. By the time Rāma returned, Bharata would be firmly rooted in power, both within and without. Surrounded by loyal friends and self-possessed, Bharata would be secure, and Mantharā believed the king would be without fear when the time came. She pressed Kaikeyī to restrain and turn back the king from his resolve to consecrate Rāma, warning that Kaikeyī had been led to accept misfortune disguised as fortune. Delighted and convinced by Mantharā’s words, Kaikeyī spoke to her, acknowledging that she had been led astray like a young girl by the hunchback’s counsel. Astonished and radiant, Kaikeyī praised Mantharā, saying she did not disregard her wisdom, for Mantharā spoke what was best among the best. Kaikeyī declared that among all hunchbacks on earth, Mantharā was supreme in discernment and ever devoted to Kaikeyī’s interests. She admitted she could not have understood the king’s intentions without Mantharā’s guidance, noting that while many hunchbacks were ill-disposed, crooked, and wicked, Mantharā was different. Kaikeyī described Mantharā’s physical form with affection: lovely to behold, bent like a lotus by the wind, her chest rising from her shoulders, firmly set within her breast. Below, her calm belly was modest like a well-formed navel; her hips were full, and her breasts beautifully rounded. Mantharā’s face was pure as the spotless moon, shining brightly, her polished hips adorned with a jeweled girdle. Her thighs were well-set, and her feet long and extended, and clad in fine linen, Mantharā’s graceful thighs completed her distinguished appearance. Thus, the queen, swayed by Mantharā’s words and admiration, prepared to follow the cunning advice that would change the fate of the royal household.