The Wicked Manthara
She was born in one of the countries and was an orphan and has been living with Kaikei for a long time.( Not part of Valmiki Ramayana- when the Deva and Asuras did samudra Manthan(churning of ocean) lot of things like Alahaala Poison – Uchisravas White horse, Airavathavam 4 tusked Elephant of Indra, Tara wife of Vali and Goddess Lakshmi wife of Maha Vishnu emanated, Then Jyeshtaa Devi also came whom no one wanted. Then Brahma called her aside and told her to stay aloof and She has an important role to play in Sri Rama’s Life(Rama is Maha Vishnu’s Avathar).And that Jyeshtaa Devi is Manthara it is said. I have heard Sundra Kumar Pravachak telling this in Palghat few decades back.).She came as Maid servant of Kaikeya King (father of Kaiykeyi 2nd Queen of King Dasaratha.
By Divine coincidence she went to the White Moon like Terrace of her Queen’s Palace and saw the entire city of Ayodhya . The Roads leading to Palace were spic and span after being cleaned and were decorated. Beautiful Flags were hoised on staff erected. During festive days for people to cross over easily the boundary walls were demolished and free passage ways were created to facilitate them. People had adorned themselves well after ceremonial Bath. Brahmins were keeping Flowers , sweets, constantly reciting Vedas and were waiting to see Sri Rama. Musical instruemnts were playing all over the City. People were standing in groups with Happiness beaming in their faces all over the city. The Elephants, horses, Cows were happily making noises. The Temple walls were white washed. Manthara was surprised at these activities.
She went near an Old Lady, who was happiness personified and asked her thus “ Queen Kaushalya who is always careful in saving /accumulating money what is the reason so much of wealth is being spalshed all around? How the King is going to get happy because of this?”
That Lady with exeuberance replied “ Person who has won over Anger and other Human Weakness and who is Sinless ,who is worthy of Being coronated, Virtuous Character Sri Rama is being crowned tomorrow in Pushya Nakshatra(Star) thus King Dasratha has decided. People are ecstatic only because of this.
When Manthara heard this She was extreemely Jealous. She came down from the Terrace, which was like Kaliash Mountain in Himalayas and with bad/foul Thoughts , was seething in rage, came to the place Queen Kaikeyi was lying in bed and said “ hey ! one who does not know anything why sleep? Get up. You have danger coming now. Why have you not learnt about the Sorrows that is coming? You prasing yourself that you are Lucky person and you are dear to the King. I know he does not have genuine affection for you, I know this. Like the water which gets dried in the river during summer, your prosperity is temporary and ephimeral.
Manthara poured out these harsh words with venom and Anger and Kaikeyi just did not head to those words as usual, this infuriated Manthara’s anger further. Manthara schemed knowing well she is an excelleant orator ; Manthara planned to reduce Kayikeyi’s affection for Sri Rama and make Kaikaeyi feel bad that as her own son Bharatha has not got the Kingdom and addesses her thus “ Devi ! King is going to do Coronation of Sri Rama as Crown Prince. Hence you have befallen a great Danger. It is not possible to stop this at this juncture. You know I have an innate Affection towards you; you are getting into a Sorrow like a Deep Sea and suffer like a person who is caught in the midst of raging fire, hence I have come to do good and which is beneficial. Only If your are well off, it is good for me. If your well being gets reduced then I will be the 1st person to feel the pain. You are born in a King’s family , wife of a King . But the rules of Kingdom is very harsh why don’t you realize same? You are a good hearted person. Your husband is cunning person. He acts as though he is fair and just. While he speaks to you lovingly, he is of crooked conduct. This I know. Truly the things which will harm you those words he spoke endearingy to you according to siutations eh? Now he is going to handover the Kingdom to Queen Kaushalya’s son Sri Rama and increase it’s wealth.
Hey fool who doesnot know the impending disaster ! Have you now understood the bad intent of the King? He has sent Bharatha to your father’s house. He has decided to anoint Rama to the throne tomorrow. He is your husband for namesake. He is your sworn enemy. So you should have forsaken him by now. But you have not done so. Bewitched by the beauty of small snake , forgetting it is a Poisonous reptile, you are like the small Girl who keeps the infant Snake in her Lap and plays with it. You have believed in King Dasratha, innocently all along not being aware he is your enemy,who posed exteriorly as your Loving caring husband, who acted as though he is in line with your thinking and thus you have boundless Affection towards him. What will the Enemy and Snake do if you do not monitor them? Same will happen to you and your son today by Dasartha. Hey Guile less naïve lady you are born to enjoy Sukham(Comfort, Luxury, Joy, Fun,Cheer, Love, Affection and fulfilled her Desires).When that be the case Great Sinner Dasratha who has been pretending as though he is always acting in your interest , will coronate Rama and will make you and your children desolate. What ever you have to do, do it now without delay. At least from now do not get betrayed. You have the strength to Lure and control him na, please use it and protect you and your Son.
Kaikeyi who was llying down hearing the coronation of Rama was extremely happy. , her happiness radiated in her face as though She was like Full moon during Summer and was happy that if Rama gets the kingdom it bodes well for her. And got out of the bed. Long awaited Happiness has been expedited by Providence and this gave Kaiykeyi immense Pleasure and Happiness. The suddenness of the occasion gave her pleasant surprise. She gave Manthara a priceless ornament as a gift to Manthara.
I have no differentiation between Rama and Bharatha, hence I am very happy King is performing Cornoation of Sri Rama. There is no other thing which can give me greater pleasure than this. You informed me of this what shall I give you? I am ready to give you whatever you ask for said kaikeyi to Manthara. ( Slokas 36) .
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