Saraswati Turns Manthara's Mind and the Kaikeyi-Manthara Dialogue
Moved by the gods' plea, Saraswati alters Manthara's thinking. Manthara fills Kaikeyi's heart with suspicion and anger, urging her to claim her boons.
Ayodhya Kand · Episode 3 / 49
Episode Text
नामु मंथरा मंदमति चेरी कैकइ केरि। अजस पेटारी ताहि करि गई गिरा मति फेरि॥ १२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
nāmu maṃtharā mandamati cerī kaikai keri। ajasa peṭārī tāhi kari gaī girā mati pherī॥ 12 ॥
Meaning:
There was a dull-witted maid of Kaikeyi named Manthara. Turning her into a vessel of infamy, Saraswati departed after bending her mind awry.
दीख मंथरा नगरु बनावा। मंजुल मंगल बाज बधावा॥ पूछेसि लोगन्ह काह उछाहू। राम तिलकु सुनि भा उर दाहू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dīkha maṃtharā nagaru banāvā। mañjula maṃgala bāja badhāvā॥ pūchesi loganha kāha uchāhū। rāma tilaku suni bhā ura dāhū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Manthara saw that the city had been decorated, and delightful, auspicious songs of celebration were resounding. She asked the people what the festivity was about; hearing that it was Rama’s coronation, her heart burned with jealousy.
करइ बिचारु कुबुद्धि कुजाती। होइ अकाजु कवनि बिधि राती॥ देखि लागि मधु कुटिल किराती। जिमि गवँ तकइ लेउँ केहि भाँती॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
karai bicāru kubuddhi kujātī। hoi akāju kavani bidhi rātī॥ dekhi lāgi madhu kuṭila kirātī। jimi gavaṃ takai leuṃ kehi bhāṃtī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
That wicked, low-born maid began to think how the matter might be spoiled that very night, just as a crooked forest-woman lies in ambush on seeing a honeycomb, wondering how to tear it down.
भरत मातु पहिं गइ बिलखानी। का अनमनि हसि कह हँसि रानी॥ ऊतरु देइ न लेइ उसासू। नारि चरित करि ढारइ आँसू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata mātu pahiṃ gai bilakhānī। kā anamani hasi kaha haṃsi rānī॥ ūtaru dei na lei usāsū। nāri carita kari ḍhārai āṃsū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Looking dejected, she went to Bharata’s mother, Kaikeyi. Queen Kaikeyi laughed and asked, “Why are you so sad?” Manthara gave no reply, only kept sighing deeply and weeping with feminine guile.
हँसि कह रानि गालु बड़ तोरें। दीन्ह लखन सिख अस मन मोरें॥ तबहुँ न बोल चेरि बड़ि पापिनि। छाड़इ स्वास कारि जनु साँपिनि॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
haṃsi kaha rāni gālu baṛa toreṃ। dīna lakhana sikha asa mana moreṃ॥ tabahuṃ na bola ceri baṛi pāpini। chāṛai svāsa kāri janu sāṃpini॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The queen laughed and said, “You have a very big mouth—you talk far too much. My mind says Lakshmana must have given you a lesson.” Yet the great sinner of a maid still said nothing, only exhaling long breaths as though she were a black snake hissing.
सभय रानि कह कहसि किन कुसल रामु महिपालु। लखनु भरतु रिपुदमनु सुनि भा कुबरी उर सालु॥ १३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sabhaya rāni kaha kahasi kina kusala rāmū mahipālu। lakhanu bharatu ripudamanu suni bhā kubarī ura sālu॥ 13 ॥
Meaning:
Then the queen, frightened, said, “Why don’t you speak? Are Rama, the king, Lakshmana, Bharata, and Shatrughna all well?” Hearing this, Manthara felt a sharp pain in her heart.
कत सिख देइ हमहि कोउ माई। गालु करब केहि कर बलु पाई॥ रामहि छाड़ि कुसल केहि आजू। जेहि जनेसु देइ जुबराजू॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kata sikha dei hamahi kou māī। gālu karaba kehi kara balu pāī॥ rāmahi chāṛi kusala kehi ājū। yehi janesu dei jubarājū॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
“Why should anyone lecture me, mother? And whose strength would I have to be bold and abusive? Apart from Rama, who else is well today, to whom the king is giving the post of heir apparent?”
भयउ कौसिलहि बिधि अति दाहिन। देखत गरब रहत उर नाहिन॥ देखहु कस न जाइ सब सोभा। जो अवलोकि मोर मनु छोभा॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhayau kausilahi bidhi ati dāhina। dekhata garaba rahata ura nāhina॥ dekhahu kasa na jāi saba sobhā। jo avaloki mora manu chobhā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Fate has been exceedingly favorable to Kaushalya today; seeing this, pride does not remain in her heart. Why don’t you go yourself and see all the splendor, the sight of which has stirred grief in my heart?
पूतु बिदेस न सोचु तुम्हारें। जानति हहु बस नाहु हमारें॥ नीद बहुत प्रिय सेज तुराई। लखहु न भूप कपट चतुराई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pūtu bidesa na socu tumhāreṃ। jānati hahu basa nāhu hamāreṃ॥ nīda bahuta priya seja turāī। lakhahu na bhūpa kapaṭa caturāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Your son is abroad, so you need not worry. You know that our lord is in our hands. You love nothing more than lying on your soft bed and sleeping; you do not see the king’s deceitful cleverness.
सुनि प्रिय बचन मलिन मनु जानी। झुकी रानि अब रहु अरगानी॥ पुनि अस कबहुँ कहसि घरफोरी। तब धरि जीभ कढ़ावउँ तोरी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
suni priya bacana malina manu jānī। jhukī rāni aba rahu aragānī॥ puni asa kabahuṃ kahasi gharaphorī। taba dhari jībha kaṛhāvauṃ torī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Manthara’s flattering words, but understanding the dirt in her mind, the queen bent forward and said, “Enough, be quiet now, you house-breaker! If you ever say such a thing again, I will have your tongue torn out.”
काने खोरे कूबरे कुटिल कुचाली जानि। तिय बिसेषि पुनि चेरि कहि भरतमातु मुसुकानि॥ १४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kāne khore kūbare kuṭila kuchālī jāni। tiya biśeṣi puni ceri kahi bharatamātu musukāni॥ 14 ॥
Meaning:
Deaf people, lame people, and hunchbacks should be known as crooked and crafty. And among them, women—and especially a maid! Saying this, Bharata’s mother Kaikeyi smiled.
प्रियबादिनि सिख दीन्हिउँ तोही। सपनेहुँ तो पर कोपु न मोही॥ सुदिनु सुमंगल दायकु सोई। तोर कहा फुर जेहि दिन होई॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
priyabādini sikh dīnhiuṃ tohī। sapanehuṃ to para kopu na mohī॥ sudinu sumaṅgala dāyaku soī। tora kahā phura jehi dina hoī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
And then she said: "O Manthara, the one who speaks sweet words! I gave you this counsel (I spoke thus only to teach you). I have no anger toward you, even in a dream. That beautiful, auspicious, and blessed day will be the one on which your words prove true (that is, when Rama is anointed king)."
जेठ स्वामि सेवक लघु भाई। यह दिनकर कुल रीति सुहाई॥ राम तिलकु जौं साँचेहुँ काली। देउँ मागु मन भावत आली॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jeṭha svāmi sevaka laghu bhāī। yaha dinakara kula rīti suhāī॥ rāma tilaku jaũ sāṃcehuṃ kālī। deũ māgu mana bhāvata ālī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The elder brother is the master and the younger brother the servant. This is the lovely custom of the Solar dynasty. If indeed Rama is to be enthroned tomorrow, then, O friend, ask for whatever pleases your heart, and I shall give it to you.
कौसल्या सम सब महतारी। रामहि सहज सुभायँ पिआरी॥ मो पर करहिं सनेहु बिसेषी। मैं करि प्रीति परीछा देखी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kausalyā sama saba mahatārī। rāmahi sahaja subhāyaṃ piyārī॥ mo para karahiṃ sanehu bisēṣī। maiṃ kari prīti parīchā dēkhī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
By nature, all the mothers are dear to Rama like Kaushalya. But upon me, he shows special affection. I have tested and seen the truth of his love.
जौं बिधि जनमु देइ करि छोहू। होहुँ राम सिय पूत पुतोहू॥ प्रान तें अधिक रामु प्रिय मोरें। तिन्ह कें तिलक छोभु कस तोरें॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaũ bidhi janamu dēi kari chohū। hōhuṃ rāma siya pūta putohū॥ prāna teṃ adhika rāmu priya morẽ। tinha keṃ tilaka chōbhu kasa torẽ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
If Providence would grant me a birth with kindness, then let Rama be my son and Sita my daughter-in-law. Rama is dearer to me than my own life. Why should you be troubled by his coronation?
भरत सपथ तोहि सत्य कहु परिहरि कपट दुराउ। हरष समय बिसमउ करसि कारन मोहि सुनाउ॥ १५ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bharata sapatha tohī satya kahu parihari kapaṭa durāu। harṣa samaya bisamau karasi kārana mohi sunāu॥ 15 ॥
Meaning:
By Bharata's oath, tell me the truth and leave aside deceit and concealment. You are grieving at a time of joy; tell me the reason.
एकहिं बार आस सब पूजी। अब कछु कहब जीभ करि दूजी॥ फोरै जोगु कपारु अभागा। भलेउ कहत दुख रउरेहि लागा॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
ekahiṃ bāra āsa saba pūjī। aba kachu kahaba jībha kari dūjī॥ phorai jogu kapāru abhāgā। bhaleu kahata dukha raurehī lāgā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
All hopes were fulfilled at the very first mention. Now I must speak again with a second tongue. My unlucky head deserves to be broken, since even a good word causes you pain.
कहहिं झूठि फुरि बात बनाई। ते प्रिय तुम्हहि करुइ मैं माई॥ हमहुँ कहबि अब ठकुरसोहाती। नाहिं त मौन रहब दिनु राती॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahahiṃ jhūṭhi phuri bāta banāī। te priya tumhahi karui maiṃ māī॥ hamahuṃ kahabi aba ṭhakura sohātī। nāhiṃ ta mauna rahaba dina rāṭī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
"Those who invent mixed truths and lies are dear to you, O mother, and I seem bitter! From now on, I too will speak only pleasant, flattering words. Otherwise, I shall remain silent day and night."
करि कुरूप बिधि परबस कीन्हा। बवा सो लुनिअ लहिअ जो दीन्हा॥ कोउ नृप होउ हमहि का हानी। चेरि छाड़ि अब होब कि रानी॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kari kurūpa bidhi parabasa kīnhā। bavā so luniā lahia jo dīnhā॥ kou nṛpa hou hamahi kā hānī। ceri chādi aba hoba ki rānī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Destiny made me ugly and helpless! Why blame anyone else? One reaps what one sows, and receives what one is given. What difference does it make who becomes king? Even if I leave service, will I ever become a queen?
जारै जोगु सुभाउ हमारा। अनभल देखि न जाइ तुम्हारा॥ तातें कछुक बात अनुसारी। छमिअ देबि बड़ि चूक हमारी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jārai jogu subhāu hamārā। anabhala dēkhi na jāi tumhārā॥ tāteṃ kachuka bāta anusārī। chamiya debi baṛi cūka hamārī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
My nature is fit only to be burned, for I cannot bear to see your harm. That is why I raised this matter. But, O Goddess, it was a grave mistake on my part; forgive me.
गूढ़ कपट प्रिय बचन सुनि तीय अधरबुधि रानि। सुरमाया बस बैरिनिहि सुहृद जानि पतिआनि॥ १६ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
gūḍha kapaṭa priya bacana suni tīya adharabudhi rāni। suramāyā basa bairinihi suhṛda jāni patiāni॥ 16 ॥
Meaning:
The dim-witted queen Kaikeyi, under the spell of divine illusion, heard Manthara's secret, deceitful, yet sweet words and trusted the enemy woman as a true well-wisher.
सादर पुनि पुनि पूँछति ओही। सबरी गान मृगी जनु मोही॥ तसि मति फिरी अहइ जसि भाबी। रहसी चेरि घात जनु फाबी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sādara puni puni pūnchati ohī। sabarī gāna mṛgī janu mohī॥ tasi mati phirī ahai jasi bhābī। rahasī ceri ghāta janu phābī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Again and again, with respect, the queen keeps questioning her, as if a doe were enchanted by Shabari's singing. As fate had it, her mind turned as well. The maid rejoiced, thinking her move had succeeded.
तुम्ह पूँछहु मैं कहत डेराऊँ। धरेहु मोर घरफोरी नाऊँ॥ सजि प्रतीति बहुबिधि गढ़ि छोली। अवध साढ़साती तब बोली॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tumh pūnchhahu maiṃ kahata ḍerāũ। dharehu mora gharaphorī nāũ॥ saji pratīti bahuvidhi gaṛhi chholī। avadha sāḍhāsātī taba bolī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
"You ask, but I am afraid to speak, because you have already branded me a home-breaker. After many stratagems and much pretended confidence, then the unlucky hour of Ayodhya spoke:"
प्रिय सिय रामु कहा तुम्ह रानी। रामहि तुम्ह प्रिय सो फुरि बानी॥ रहा प्रथम अब ते दिन बीते। समउ फिरें रिपु होहिं पिरीते॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
priya siya rāmu kahā tumha rānī। rāmahi tumha priya so phuri bānī॥ rahā prathama aba te dina bīte। samau phirẽ ripu hohiṃ pirīte॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
"O queen, what you said—that Sita and Rama are dear to me, and that you are dear to Rama—is true. But that was in the past; those days are gone now. When time turns, even friends become enemies."
भानु कमल कुल पोषनिहारा। बिनु जल जारि करइ सोइ छारा॥ जरि तुम्हारि चह सवति उखारी। रूँधहु करि उपाउ बर बारी॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhānu kamala kula poṣanihārā। binu jala jāri karai soi chārā॥ jari tumhāri caha savati ukhārī। rūndhahu kari upāu bara bārī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
The sun nourishes the lotus family, yet without water that same sun burns them to ashes. Your co-wife Kaushalya wishes to uproot you. Therefore, surround yourself with the best fence of strategy and keep her restrained.
तुम्हहि न सोचु सोहाग बल निज बस जानहु राउ। मन मलीन मुह मीठ नृपु राउर सरल सुभाउ॥ १७ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
tumhahi na socu sohāga bala nija basa jānahu rāu। mana malīna muha mīṭha nṛpu rāura sarala subhāu॥ 17 ॥
Meaning:
You feel secure in the false strength of your marital favor and think the king is under your control. But the king is inwardly impure and outwardly sweet! And your own nature is simple—you do not know guile.
चतुर गँभीर राम महतारी। बीचु पाइ निज बात सँवारी॥ पठए भरतु भूप ननिअउरें। राम मातु मत जानब रउरें॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
catura gaṃbhīra rāma mahatārī। bīcu pāi nija bāta saṃvārī॥ paṭhaye bharatu bhūpa nani'aureṃ। rāma mātu mata jānaba raureṃ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Rama's mother (Kaushalya) is wise and profound; no one can fathom her. She seized the opportunity and arranged her own plan. As for the king sending Bharata to his maternal home, you should understand it as Rama's mother's counsel alone.
सेवहिं सकल सवति मोहि नीकें। गरबित भरत मातु बल पी कें॥ सालु तुम्हार कौसिलहि माई। कपट चतुर नहिं होइ जनाई॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sevahiṃ sakala savati mohi nīkeṃ। garbita bharata mātu bala pī keṃ॥ sālu tumhāra kausilahi māī। kapaṭa catura nahiṃ hoi janāī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
[Kaushalya thinks:] "All the other co-wives serve me well enough, but the mother of Bharata is proud on the strength of her husband." That is why, O mother, you are a constant annoyance to Kaushalya. Yet she is clever in deceit, so her inner feelings cannot be known; she keeps them hidden skillfully.
राजहि तुम्ह पर प्रेमु बिसेषी। सवति सुभाउ सकइ नहिं देखी॥ रचि प्रपंचु भूपहि अपनाई। राम तिलक हित लगन धराई॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rājahi tumha para premu bisēṣī। savati subhāu sakai nahiṃ dēkhī॥ raci prapañcu bhūpahi apanāī। rāma tilaka hita lagana dharāī॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
The king has special affection for you. Kaushalya cannot bear to look upon the nature of a co-wife. Therefore, by weaving a scheme and bringing the king under control, she fixed the auspicious time for Rama's coronation in Bharata's absence.
यह कुल उचित राम कहुँ टीका। सबहि सोहाइ मोहि सुठि नीका॥ आगिलि बात समुझि डरु मोही। देउ दैउ फिरि सो फलु ओही॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
yaha kula ucita rāma kahuṃ ṭīkā। sabahi sohāi mohi suṭhi nīkā॥ āgili bāta samujhi ḍaru mohī। deu dai'u phiri so phalu ohī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
It is proper for Rama to be crowned; this pleases everyone, and I like it very much too. But I fear what lies ahead. May fate turn this fruit back upon that same woman.
रचि पचि कोटिक कुटिलपन कीन्हेसि कपट प्रबोधु। कहिसि कथा सत सवति कै जेहि बिधि बाढ़ बिरोधु॥ १८ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
raci paci koṭika kuṭilapana kīnhesi kapaṭa prabodhu। kahisi kathā sata savati kai jehi bidhi bāṛha biroḍhu॥ 18 ॥
Meaning:
In this way, after fabricating countless crooked schemes, Manthara instructed Kaikeyi with deceitful persuasion and told many tales of co-wives in such a manner as to increase hostility.
भावी बस प्रतीति उर आई। पूँछ रानि पुनि सपथ देवाई॥ का पूँछहु तुम्ह अबहुँ न जाना। निज हित अनहित पसु पहिचाना॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhāvī basa pratīti ura āī। pūncha rāni puni sapatha devāī॥ kā pūnchhahu tumha abahuṃ na jānā। nija hita anahita pasu pahicānā॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
By the force of fate, trust entered Kaikeyi's heart. The queen again made her swear and asked. [Manthara said:] Why do you ask? Have you not understood even now? Even beasts can recognize what is good and bad for them—or friend and foe.
भयउ पाखु दिन सजत समाजू। तुम्ह पाई सुधि मोहि सन आजू॥ खाइअ पहिरिअ राज तुम्हारें। सत्य कहें नहिं दोषु हमारें॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhayau pākhu dina sajata samājū। tumha pāī sudhi mohi sana ājū॥ khāia pahiria rāja tumhāreṃ। satya kaheṃ nahiṃ doṣu hamāreṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
A whole fortnight has passed arranging everything, and only today did you learn it from me! I eat and dress under your rule, so I have no fault in speaking the truth.
जौं असत्य कछु कहब बनाई। तौ बिधि देइहि हमहि सजाई॥ रामहि तिलक कालि जौं भयऊ। तुम्ह कहुँ बिपति बीजु बिधि बयऊ॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jaũ asatya kachu kahaba banāī। tau bidhi deihi hamahi sajāī॥ rāmahi tilaka kāli jaũ bhayau। tumha kahuṃ bipati bīju bidhi bayau॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
If I am telling a fabricated lie, then Providence will punish me. If Rama is crowned tomorrow, then understand that destiny has sown the seed of calamity for you.
रेख खँचाइ कहउँ बलु भाषी। भामिनि भइहु दूध कइ माखी॥ जौं सुत सहित करहु सेवकाई। तौ घर रहहु न आन उपाई॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
rekha khañcāi kahauṃ balu bhāṣī। bhāmini bhaihu dūdha kai mākhī॥ jaũ suta sahita karahu sevakāī। tau ghara rahahu na āna upāī॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
I say this firmly, drawing a line: O proud lady, you have become like a fly in milk! Just as a fly dropped into milk is thrown out, so too will people cast you out of the house. If you serve Kaushalya along with your son, then you may remain in the house; otherwise, there is no other way.
कद्रूँ बिनतहि दीन्ह दुखु तुम्हहि कौसिलाँ देब। भरतु बंदिगृह सेइहहिं लखनु राम के नेब॥ १९ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kadrūṃ binatahi dīnhu dukhu tumhahi kausilāṃ deba। bharatu bandigṛha seihahiṃ lakhanu rāma ke nēba॥ 19 ॥
Meaning:
As Kadru caused sorrow to Vinata, so Kaushalya will bring sorrow upon you. Bharata will serve in a prison, and Lakshmana will be Rama's assistant and supporter.
कैकयसुता सुनत कटु बानी। कहि न सकइ कछु सहमि सुखानी॥ तन पसेउ कदली जिमि काँपी। कुबरीं दसन जीभ तब चाँपी॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kaikayasutā sunata kaṭu bānī। kahi na sakai kachu sahami sukhānī॥ tana paseu kadalī jimi kāṃpī। kubarīṃ dasana jībha taba chāṃpī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Hearing Manthara's bitter words, Kaikeyi was struck with fear and withered in silence, unable to say anything. Sweat broke out on her body, and she trembled like a banana plant in the wind. Then the hunchbacked woman (Manthara) bit her tongue between her teeth, fearing that if the dreadful future picture were presented too strongly, Kaikeyi's heart might fail and the whole plan would be ruined.
कहि कहि कोटिक कपट कहानी। धीरजु धरहु प्रबोधिसि रानी॥ फिरा करमु प्रिय लागि कुचाली। बकिहि सराहइ मानि मराली॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kahi kahi koṭika kapaṭa kahānī। dhīraju dharahu prabodhisi rānī॥ phirā karamu priya lāgi kuchālī। bakihi sarāhai māni marālī॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Speaking countless deceitful stories, she kept persuading the queen: "Have patience!" Kaikeyi's fate turned, and she came to like wicked counsel. She began to praise the heron, taking it for a swan—counting an enemy as a friend.
सुनु मंथरा बात फुरि तोरी। दहिनि आँखि नित फरकइ मोरी॥ दिन प्रति देखउँ राति कुसपने। कहउँ न तोहि मोह बस अपने॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunu mantharā bāta phuri torī। dahini āṃkhi nita pharakai morī॥ dina prati dekhauṃ rāti kusapane। kahauṃ na tohi moha basa apane॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Kaikeyi said, "Listen, Manthara! Your words are true. My right eye keeps twitching every day. I see bad dreams every night, but because of my confusion and attachment, I do not tell you."
अपनें चलत न आजु लगि अनभल काहुक कीन्ह। केहिं अघ एकहि बार मोहि दैअँ दुसह दुखु दीन्ह॥ २० ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
apaneṃ calata na āju lagi anabhaḷ kāhuka kīnha। kehiṃ agha ekahi bāra mohi daiaṃ dusaha dukhu dīnha॥ 20 ॥
Meaning:
"As far as I have had control over my actions, I have never done harm to anyone until today. Then by what sin has Fate given me this unbearable sorrow all at once?"
नैहर जनमु भरब बरु जाई। जिअत न करबि सवति सेवकाई॥ अरि बस दैउ जिआवत जाही। मरनु नीक तेहि जीवन चाही॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
naihara janamu bharaba baru jāī। jiat na karabi savati sevakāī॥ ari basa daiu jiāvata jāhī। maranu nīka tehi jīvana cāhī॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
I would rather go back to my parental home and spend my life there; but I will not serve a co-wife while I am alive. For one whom Fate keeps alive in an enemy's power, death is better than such a life.
दीन बचन कह बहुबिधि रानी। सुनि कुबरीं तियमाया ठानी॥ अस कस कहहु मानि मन ऊना। सुखु सोहागु तुम्ह कहुँ दिन दूना॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dīna bacana kaha bahubidhi rānī। suni kubarīṃ tiyamāyā ṭhānī॥ asa kasa kahahu māni mana ūnā। sukhu sohāgu tumha kahaṃ dina dūnā॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
The queen spoke in many humble, pleading words. Hearing them, Manthara resorted to feminine cunning. She said, "Why do you speak so sadly and feel distressed in your heart? Your happiness and good fortune will increase day by day."
जेहिं राउर अति अनभल ताका। सोइ पाइहि यहु फलु परिपाका॥ जब तें कुमत सुना मैं स्वामिनि। भूख न बासर नीद न जामिनि॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
jehiṃ rāūra ati anabhala tākā। soi pāihi yahu phalu paripākā॥ jaba teṃ kumata sunā maiṃ svāmini। bhūkha na bāsara nīda na jāmini॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Whoever has wished you harm will receive this fruit in due course. O Lady, since I heard this evil counsel, I have had no appetite by day and no sleep at night.
पूँछेउँ गुनिन्ह रेख तिन्ह खाँची। भरत भुआल होहिं यह साँची॥ भामिनि करहु त कहौं उपाऊ। है तुम्हरीं सेवा बस राऊ॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
pūṃcheuṃ guninha rekh tinha khāṃcī। bharata bhuāla hohiṃ yaha sāṃcī॥ bhāmini karahu ta kahauṃ upāū। hai tumharīṃ sevā basa rāū॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
I consulted astrologers, and after drawing lines and calculating, they said that Bharata would become king—that is the truth. O lovely lady, if you act, then I will tell you the way. The king is already under your influence.
परउँ कूप तुअ बचन पर सकउँ पूत पति त्यागि। कहसि मोर दुखु देखि बड़ कस न करब हित लागि॥ २१ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
parauṃ kūpa tua bacana para sakauṃ pūta pati tyāgi। kahasi mora dukhu dekhi baḍa kasa na karaba hita lāgi॥ 21 ॥
Meaning:
"At your word I could even fall into a well and abandon my son and husband. When you see my great sorrow and speak to me, why would I not act for my own welfare?"
कुबरीं करि कबुली कैकेई। कपट छुरी उर पाहन टेई॥ लखइ न रानि निकट दुखु कैसें। चरइ हरित तिन बलिपसु जैसें॥ १ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
kubarīṃ kari kabulī kaikēī। kapaṭa churī ura pāhana ṭeī॥ lakhai na rāni nikaṭa dukhu kaisẽ। carai harita tina balipasu jaisẽ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning:
Manthara, having completely ensnared Kaikeyi and made her her willing victim, sharpened the knife of deceit on the stone-like hardness of her heart. How could Queen Kaikeyi not see the sorrow approaching her, just as a sacrificial animal grazes on green grass without knowing that death is already poised above it?
सुनत बात मृदु अंत कठोरी। देति मनहुँ मधु माहुर घोरी॥ कहइ चेरि सुधि अहइ कि नाहीं। स्वामिनि कहिहु कथा मोहि पाहीं॥ २ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
sunata bāta mṛdu anta kaṭhorī। deti manahuṃ madhu māhura ghorī॥ kahai ceri sudhi ahai ki nāhīṃ। svāmini kahihu kathā mohi pāhīṃ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning:
Manthara's words sound gentle, but in the end they are harsh and terrible. It is as though she is giving poison mixed with honey. The maid says, "O Lady, do you remember a story you once told me or not?"
दुइ बरदान भूप सन थाती। मागहु आजु जुड़ावहु छाती॥ सुतहि राजु रामहि बनबासू। देहु लेहु सब सवति हुलासू॥ ३ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
dui baradāna bhūpa sana thātī। māgahu āju juḍāvahu chātī॥ sutahi rāju rāmahi banabāsū। dehu lehu saba savati hulāsū॥ 3 ॥
Meaning:
Your two boons are a treasure held by the king. Today, claim them from him and cool your heart. Give the kingdom to your son and exile Rama to the forest, and take all the joy for yourself and your co-wife.
भूपति राम सपथ जब करई। तब मागेहु जेहिं बचनु न टरई॥ होइ अकाजु आजु निसि बीतें। बचनु मोर प्रिय मानेहु जी तें॥ ४ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
bhūpati rāma sapatha jaba karaī। taba māgehu jehiṃ bacanu na ṭaraī॥ hoi akāju āju nisi bīteṃ। bacanu mora priya mānehu jī teṃ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning:
Wait until the king has sworn by Rama, and then ask for the boon, so that his word cannot be broken. If tonight passes, the plan will fail. Regard my words as dear to your heart—dearer even than life.
बड़ कुघातु करि पातकिनि कहेसि कोपगृहँ जाहु। काजु सँवारेहु सजग सबु सहसा जनि पतिआहु॥ २२ ॥
Transliteration (IAST)
baḍa kughātu kari pātakini kahesi kopagṛhaṃ jāhu। kāju saṃvārehu sajaga sabu sahasā jani patiāhu॥ 22 ॥
Meaning:
That sinful Manthara struck a wicked blow and said, "Go to the anger chamber. Arrange everything carefully, and do not trust the king suddenly."