In the midst of a fierce battle between the forces of good and the demons, the night was stained with violence as the demons, having driven away the men, mercilessly slew the wounded and those who slept, wielding their strength without pity. In that dire hour, King Daśaratha himself faced the demons with great valor, his mighty arms battered and broken by the relentless weapons of his foes. It was then, O queen, that you carried your unconscious husband away from the battlefield. Even as he lay wounded, you protected him with unwavering devotion. Grateful for your care, Daśaratha, pleased and moved, granted you two boons, saying, “Whenever you wish, you may claim them.” At that moment, you responded, “I will accept them when I desire,” and your noble husband agreed to this. I did not know of this promise, O queen, until you revealed it to me. Out of affection for you, I have kept this story in my heart. Now, as Rāma’s consecration draws near, you must prevent these preparations and turn them back. Go to your husband and ask for the two boons he promised: let Bharata be anointed as king, and let Rāma be exiled to the forest for fourteen years. For those fourteen years, while Rāma dwells in the wilderness, your son Bharata, beloved by the people, will become firmly established as king. Today, enter the chamber of anger, as if enraged with the son of the lord of horses, and remain hidden there on the ground, dressed in soiled garments. Do not look upon the king, nor speak to him. When he, longing for you and full of sorrow, comes to you, remain weeping but do not address him. You are always dear to your husband—of this I have no doubt. For your sake, the great king would even enter the fire. He cannot become angry with you, nor gaze upon you when you are angry; for your sake, he would even give up his life. The king cannot transgress your word. Understand, with your gentle nature, the power of your own good fortune. Daśaratha would give you pearls, gems, gold, and various jewels; do not set your heart on these. Instead, remind him of the two boons he granted you in the battle between gods and demons, O noble lady; his promise must not be broken. When Rāghava himself raises you up and the king is present, then choose your boon: let Rāma’s exile be for fourteen years—nine and five—and let Bharata be made king of the earth, O bull among kings. During those fourteen years, while Rāma is away in the forest, your son will grow strong, take root, and remain established. O queen, ask for this boon—the exile of Rāma; thus all your son’s desires will be fulfilled. With Rāma exiled, he will no longer be Rāma, and Bharata, free from enemies, will become king for you. By the time Rāma returns from the forest, your son will be firmly rooted both within and without. Gathered with friends, self-possessed, and surrounded by loyal men, your son will be secure, and I believe the king will be without fear when the time comes. Restrain and turn back the king from his resolve to anoint Rāma; you have been led by her to accept misfortune disguised as fortune. Delighted and convinced by these words, Kaikeyī spoke to Mantharā, for the hunchback’s counsel had led her astray like a young girl. Kaikeyī, astonished and surpassingly beautiful, said, “I do not disregard your wisdom, you who speak what is best among the best. Among all hunchbacks on earth, you are supreme in discernment; you alone are ever devoted and well-wishing towards my interests. I could not have understood what the king intended, O hunchback, for there are hunchbacks who are ill-disposed, crooked, and exceedingly wicked. But you are lovely to behold, bent like a lotus by the wind; your chest rises from your shoulders, firmly set within your breast. Below, your calm belly is modest like a well-formed navel; your hips are full, and your breasts are beautifully rounded. Your face is pure as the spotless moon—indeed, you shine, Mantharā; your polished hips are adorned with a jeweled girdle. Your thighs are well-set, and both feet are long and extended; you, Mantharā, clad in fine linen, have graceful thighs. When you walk before me, O exceedingly lovely one, you shine; the thousand magical arts that were with Shambara, lord of asuras—those arts have entered your heart, and thousands more besides; that very back, long and curved like a chariot’s yoke, is yours. Wisdom, knowledge of statecraft, and magical arts all dwell in you; here, O hunchback, I will bestow upon you a golden garland. When Bharata is anointed and Rāghava has gone to the forest, O beautiful one, I will anoint you with pure, well-refined gold. When you have achieved your desire and are delighted, I will smear your back with gold; and on your face, a beautiful, jeweled tilaka. I will have splendid ornaments made for you, O hunchback; dressed in fine garments, you will move about like a goddess. With a face shining like the moon and incomparable beauty, you will walk with a noble gait, making your rivals envious. Other hunchbacks, adorned with all ornaments, will serve at your feet, just as you always serve at mine.” Thus praised, Kaikeyī spoke these words to Mantharā, as she lay upon a pure couch, shining like a flame upon the altar.