RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA-CHAPTER 7
MANTHARA, THE PLOTTER
No one knew where Manthara came from. Her parentage was equally unknown. When Kaikeyi came to Ayodhya as the bride of Dasaratha, Manthara came along with her. She stood like a bird of evil omen on the balcony of Kaikeyi’s white mansion. And she cast an idle glance on the busy town below her. The roads were neatly swept and well-watered. Bright flags and proud bannerets crowned the houses. The city wall had been pierced with fresh gates for the easy passage of the happy crowds. The people were fresh from their bath. Rama’s palace gates were crowded with Brahmanas chanting holy hymns. Strains of sweet music rose from every quarter. Groups of happy men and women filled the streets. Even the horses and elephants, cows and bulls rejoined loudly in expectation of the happy event. The lofty gates of holy shrines glittered white in the soft moonlight. Manthara had a dark heart. She marvelled much at the sight.
She turned to a girl that stood near clad in spotless white. The girl was gazing with open-eyed amaze and pleasure at th lovely scenes. “Friend! Can you tell me why Kausalya is so free and lavish with her gold? She was ever known to be close-fisted and greedy. What mean these gay and happy crowds? What wonderful pageant, what new surprise, has our king for us?” The maid replied, “King Dasaratha has decided to seat our darling Rama on the royal throne. The people are beside themselves with joy.” The words roused black envy in the heart of the hunchback. She sped down from the terrace to where Kaikeyi slept. Wicked thoughts seethed in the brain of the hunchback. Her heart was aflame with wrath. “Sleeping blessedly, you foolish one! Awake, arise, for Peril draws near you. Don’t you see the dark clouds of misfortune over your head? You brag of your rare beauty and good fortune. You say they have made you the heart’s delight of your husband. But you have no place in his affections.”
These cruel words from the enraged heart of the hand-maid affected the queen. She said to Manthara, “What? This from you! I fear some unseen evil has clouded your heart.”
“Lady!” the scheming Manthara asked, “Do you not know that the foolish king is going to crown Rama as the ruler of this vast country? I do not know if a greater evil can befall you! It is hopeless to prevent it. You are the idol of my heart. I suffer the tortures of the damned. I have become a prey to consuming flames. I flew to you to save you from your fate. I live or die with you. You are a daughter of a mighty king. And you were wedded to a mightier monarch. But you are a sweet and gentle dove ensnared by a cruel and cunning vulture. Your husband’s honeyed words conceal a cruel heart. He has taken advantage of your pure heart. He has cozened you with sweet talk of undying love. But his soul has been all the while busy plotting your ruin. And now he has thrown off his mask. He is showering wealth and honour on his favourite queen and her son. Ah, my queen! Your fond love has blinded your eyes to the coming evil! Your husband has managed to keep your son Bharata far away from the throne. Your husband is really your most relentless foe. Avoid him, now at least, as you would the Bringer of death. Have you placed your confiding soul in the keeping of your mortal enemy? Ah, gentle heart, that was made for a life of happiness and pleasure! Beware it is too late. Wake to your peril, now at least. Save Bharata from the brink of ruin. Thereby save yourself and me!”
Kaikeyi, who lay stretched at her ease, heard her out with a smile of amused pity. But the news of Rama’s coronation thrilled here with joy. Her face reflected her heart. It was like the beautiful autumn moon. She rose in joyous haste and glad surprise. Her prayers and long-cherished hopes had borne fruit. She could not dream of a greater good fortune to herself and Bharata. She threw a priceless necklace of flashing gems round the hunchback’s neck. “None can rejoice more at Rama’s coronation than I, his mother. For Rama and Bharata are the twin blossoms that grow from my heart! These are sweetest words I have ever heard till now. And I cannot reward you enough! Ask what you will of me, for, it is yours.”
Kaikeyi’s innocent happiness and ready welcome made the evil Manthara more determined in her purpose of evil.
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