Introduction
Manthara feels very sad after hearing about anointment of Rama for the princely kingdom. She tells Kaikeyi about the coronation of Rama. Kaikeyi becomes delighted and gives Manthara one of her jewels.
Verse 1
ज्ञातिदासी यतो जाता कैकेय्या तु सहोषिता |
प्रासादं चन्द्रसङ्काशमारुरोह यदृच्छया || २-७-१
Manthara, a housemaid who was residing with Kaikeyi since her birth, accidentally ascended the balcony of Kaikeyi’s white palace, which resembled the full moon.
1. GYaatidaasi = housemaid of relatives (Manthara); yataH jaataa = since her birth; ushhitaa = residing; kaikeyyaa saha = with Kaikeyi; yadR^ichchhayaa = by chance; aaruroha = ascended; praasaadam = the balcony of palace; chandrasa~Nkaasham = which resembled the full moon.
Verse 2
सिक्तराजपथां कृत्स्नां प्रकीर्णकुसुमोत्कराम् |
अयोध्यां मन्थरा तस्मात्प्रासादादन्ववैक्षत || २-७-२
Manthara, from that balcony, saw the entire city of Ayodhya, with all its principal roads being sprinkled with water and strewn with heaps of flowers.
2. mantharaa = Manthara; praasaadaat = from that balcony; anvavaikshata = saw; tasmaat = that; kR^itsnaam = entire; ayodhyaam = Ayodhya; siktaraajapathaam = the principal roads being sprinkled with water; prakiirNakusumotkaraam = and stewn with heaps of flowers.
Verse 3, 4, 5 & 6
पताकाभिर्वरार्हाभिर्ध्वजैश्च समलङ्कृताम् |
वृतां चंदपथैश्चापि शिरःस्नातजनैर्वृताम् || २-७-३
माल्यमोदकहस्तैश्च द्विजेन्द्रैरभिनादिताम् |
शुक्लदेवगृहद्वारां सर्ववादित्रनिस्वनाम्|| २-७-४
संप्रहृष्टजनाकीर्णां ब्रह्मघोषाभिनादिताम् |
प्रहृष्टवरहस्त्यश्वां संप्रणर्धितगोवृशाम् ||२-७-५
प्रहृउष्टमुदितैः पौरैरुच्च्रि तद्वजमालिनीम् |
अयोध्यां वन्थरा तस्मात्प्रासादादन्ववैक्षत|| २-७-६
Manthara further saw from that balcony the city decorated with the best of flags and banners. The roads were cleared for uninterrupted traffic. All the people took head-bath. Brahmans with flowers and sweets in their hands were chanting Mantras. The gateways of temples were white washed. There were sounds of all musical instruments. The city was filled with rejoicing people and resounding chant of Vedas. The elephants and horses were also merry. The bulls were making roaring noise. The highly delighted citizens hoisted rows of flags on their housetops.
3;4;5;6Mantharaa = Manthara; anvavaikshataa = saw; tasmaat praasaadaat = from that balcony; ayodhyaam = the city of Ayodhya; varaarHaabhiH = which was an excellent one; samalaN^kR^itaam = decorated by; pataakaabhiH = flags; dhvajaishcha = and by buntings; vR^itaam = consisting of; chaMda pathaiH cha api = well laid out pathways; vR^itaam = consisting of; shiraH snaata janaiH = people who had head bath; abhinaaditaam = and resounding with; dvijendraiH = brahmins; maalya modaka hastaiH = with flowers and sweets in their hands; shukla deva gR^iha dvaaraam = (consisting of) temples with white doorways; sarva vaaditra nisvanaam = resonating with sounds from various musical instruments; saMprahR^ishhTa janaakiirNaam = filled with happy people; brahmaghoshha abhinaaditaam = resonating with Vedic chants; prahR^ishhTa vara hastyashvaam = with overjoyed elephants and horses; saMpraNardita govR^ishhaam = with roaring bulls and cows; prahR^ishhTamuditaiH = with greatly overjoyed; pauraiH = citizens; uchchhrita dhvaja maaliniim = and decked with rows of tall flags .
Verse 7
प्रहर्षोत्फुल्लनयनां पाण्डुरक्षौमवासिनीम् |
अविदूरे स्थितां दृष्ट्वा धात्रीं पप्रच्छ मन्थरा || २-७-७
Manthara asked a house maid with bright pleasing eyes and wearing white silk clothes standing nearby, as follows: –
7. mantharaa = Manthara; dR^ishhTvaa = seeing; dhaatriim = a house maid; praharshhotphullanayanaam = with bright delighted eyes; paaNDurakshaumavaasiniim = wearing white silk clothes; sthitaam = staying; aviduure = nearby; paprachchha = and asked(as follows):
Verse 8
उत्तमेनाभिसंयुक्ता हर्षेणार्थपरा सती |
राममाता धनं किं नु जनेभ्यः संप्रयच्छति | २-७-८
“Why is Kausalya giving away money to people so delightfully today in charity, eventhough she is badly lured of money?”
8. kim nu saMprayachchhati = why Kausalya is giving away; dhanam = money; janebhyaH = to people; uttamena = most; harsheNa abhisamyukta = delightfully; arthaparaasatii = (though) she is badly lured of money.
Verse 9
अतिमात्रप्रहर्षोऽयं किं जनस्य च शंस मे |
कारयिष्यति किं वापि संप्रहृष्टो महीपतिः || २-७-९
“Why are people so happy today? Is the king duly pleased with something, doing any great act? Tell me.”
9. kim = why; ayam = this; atimaatra praharshaH = great rejoicing; janasya = of people ?; mahiipatiH = (Is) king Dasaratha; samprahR^ishhTa = duly pleased; kimvaapi kaarayishyati vaa = getting done any act? shamsa = tell; me = me.
Verse 10
विदीर्यमाणा हर्षेण धात्री तु परया मुदा |
आचचक्षेऽथ कुब्जायै भूयसीं राघवश्रियम् || २-७-१०
That housemaid, bursting with joy, told Manthara in a great gladdening tone about the great honor to be conferred upon Rama.
10. dhaatrii tu = that house maid; vidiiryamaaNaa = bursting; harsheNa = with joy; atha = thereafter; aachachakshe = told; kubjaayai = the hunch backed Manthara; paramayaa mudaa = with great gladness; bhuuyasiim raghavashriyam = about the great honor to be conferred on Rama.
Verse 11
श्वः पुष्येण जितक्रोधं यौवराज्येन राघवम् |
राजा दशरथो राममभिषेचयितानघम् || २-७-११
“Tomorrow on the day of Pushyami star, king Dasaratha is going to anoint the fault-less Rama for the princely kingdom.”
11. svaH = tommorow; pushyeNa = on the day of Pushyami star; raajaa dasarathaH = king Dasaratha; abhishechayitaa = is going to anoint; anagham = faultless; raamam = Rama; raaghavam = who was born in Raghu clan; yauvaraajyena = for the princely kingdom.
Verse 12
धात्र्यास्तु वचनं श्रुत्वा कुब्जा क्षिप्रममर्षिता |
कैलासशिखराकारात्प्रासादादवरोहत || २-७-१२
After hearing the words of that maid, Manthara quickly with wrath walked down from the roof of the palace, which was in the shape of mount Kailasa.
12. shrutvaa = after hearing; vachanam = words; dhaatryaa = of the maid; kubjaa = the hunch backed Manthara; kshipram = quickly; amarshhitaa = with anger; avarohata = stepped down; praasaadaat = from roof of the palace.
Verse 13
सा दह्यमाना कोपेन मनथरा पापदर्शिनी |
शयनामेत्य कैकेयीमिदं वचन मब्रवीत् || २-७-१३
Manthara of sinful thought; burning with anger, approached Kaikeyi who was lying on a bed and spoke these words:
13. saa = that; mantharaa = Manthara; paapa darshinii = who has sinful thought; dahyamaanaa = burning; kopena = with anger; etya = approached; kaikeyiim = Kaikeyi; shayaanaam = who was lying on bed; abraviit = and spoke; idam = these; vachanam = words.
Verse 14
उत्तिष्ठ मूढे किं शेषे भयं त्वामभिवर्तते |
उपप्लुतमघौघेन किमात्मानं न बुध्यसे || २-७-१४
“O, fool! Get up. Why are you sleeping? A dreadful situation is befalling you. A flood of troubles submerges you. Why are you not knowing this yourself?”
14. muuDhe = O; fool! uttishTha = get up; kim = why; sheshhe = sleeping? bhayam = dreadful situation; abhivartate = is befalling; tvaa = you; upaplutam = are submerged by; aghaughena = flood of troubles; kim = why (are you); na budhyase = not knowing; aatmaanam = yourself?
Verse 15
अनिष्टे सुभगाकारे सौभग्येन विकत्थसे |
चलं हि तव सौभाग्यं नद्याः स्रोत इवोष्णगे ||२-७-१५
“Oh, Kaikeyi ! You appear to be a beloved wife for your husband, but in reality he does not like you. You boast of your fortune. Like the flow of a stream in summer; your fortune is unsteady”.
15. subhakaagaare = you; who appear to be beloved to your husband! anishhTe = (but) who is not liked by your husband! vikatthase = (you) boast; saubhaagyena = of fortune; tava = your; saubhaagyam = fortune; chalam hi = is unsteady; srotaH iva = like a stream; nadeyaaH = of river; ushhNage = in summer.
Verse 16
एवमुक्ता तु कैकेयी रुष्टया परुषं वचः |
कुब्जया पापदर्शिन्या विषादमगमत्परम् || २-७-१६
Kaikeyi was very much worried after hearing hard words spoken with anger by Manthara of sinful thoughts.
16. kaikeyii = Kaikeyi; agamat = got; param = too much; vishhaadam = sadness; uktaa = after being spoken; parushham = of hard; vachaH = words; evam = thus; rushhTayaa = with anger; kubjayaa = by Manthara; paapadarshinayaa = of sinful thoughts
Verse 17
कैकेयि त्वब्रवीत्कुभां कच्चित्क्षेमं न मनथरे |
विषण्णवदनां हि त्वां लक्षये भृ शदुःखिताम् || २-७-१७
Kaikeyi asked the hunch-backed Manthara as follows; “O, Manthara! Are you not safe? You appear to be very sorrowful with your worried face”.
17. kaikeyii tu = Kaikeyi; abraviit = spoke; kubjaam = to the hunch backed; manthare = O; Manthara ! kshhemam na kachchit = (you are feeling) not safe or what ? lakshaye hi = I am seeing; tvaam = you; bhR^ishaduHkhitaam = being very sorrowful; vishhaNNavadanaam = with a worried face.
Verse 18
मन्थरा तु वचः श्रुत्वा कैकेय्या मधुराक्षरम् |
उवाच क्रोधसंयुक्ता वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदा || २-७-१८
After hearing Kaikeyi’s sweet words, Manthara who was an expert in talking, spoke with anger.
18. srutvaa = after hearing; kaikeyyaaH vachaH = Kaikeyi’s words; madhuraaksharam = with sweet words; mantharaa tu = Manthara; vaakyavishaaradaa = who was an expert in talking; uvaacha = spoke; vaakyam = these words; krodhasamyuktaaH = with anger.
Verse 19
सा विषण्णतरा भूत्वा कुब्जा तस्या हितैषिणी |
विषदयन्ती प्रोवाच भेदयन्ती च राघवम् || २-७-१९
That Manthara, who was full of cunning, feigning to be seeking Kaikeyi’s welfare, appeared more worried, and making Kaikeyi sorrowful, spoke the following, to create hostility between Rama and Kaikeyi.
19. saa = that; kubjaa = Manthara; tasyaaH hitaishhiNii = wishing Kaikeyi’s welfare; vishhaadayantii = making her sorrowful; bheda yantii cha = and to create hostility; raaghavam = with Rama; provaacha = said (as follows).
Verse 20
अक्षय्यं सुमहद्देवि प्रवृत्तं द्वद्विनाशनम् |
रामं दशरथो राजा यौवराज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति || २-७-२०
“Oh, queen! An unending great ruin has encircled you. King Dasaratha is going to anoint Rama for the princely kingdom”.
20. devi = Oh; Queen! akshhayyam = an unending; sumahat = great; tvadvinaashanam = ruin to you; pravR^ittam = has encircled; raajaa = king; dasharathaH = Dasaratha; abhishhekshyati = is anointing; raamam = Rama; yauvaraajye = for princely kingdom.
Verse 21
सास्म्यगाधे भये मग्ना दुःखशोकसमन्विता |
दह्यमानाऽ नलेनेव त्वद्धितार्थमिहागता || २-७-२१
“I am immersed in a bottomless pit of fear. I am in distress and my mind is burning as if by fire. I hastened here to seek you out.”
21. saa asmi = that myself; magnaa = is immersed; agaadhe = in bottomless pit; bhaye = of fear; duHkha shoka samanvitaa = with pain and sorrow; dahyamaanena = (I am) burning; analena = as if by fire; aagataa = came; iha = here; tvaddhitaartham = for your sake.
Verse 22
तव दुःखेन कैकेयि मम दुःखं महद्भवेत् |
त्वद्वृद्धौ मम वृद्धिश्च भवेदत्र न संशयः || २-७-२२
“Kaikeyi! If Rama becomes king, his son will become king after him. Thus, Bharata’s name itself will be removed from the royal clan.”
22. kaikeyi = O; Kaikeyi; tava duHkena = by your grief; mahat = great; duHkham = grief; bhavena = happens; mama = to me; tvadvR^iddhau = your prosperity; bhavet = becomes; vR^iddhishcha = prosperity; mama = to me; na = no ; saMshayaH = doubt; atra = about this.
Verse 23
नराधिपकुले जाता महिषी त्वं महीपतेः |
उग्रत्वं राजधर्माणां कथं देवि न बुध्यसे || २-७-२३
“Oh, Kaikeyi! Having born in a royal family and being an emperor’s wife, how is it that you are not knowing about the cruelty in kingly duties?”
23. devi = Oh; queen! jaataa = having born; naraadhipakule = in royal family; mahishhii = being wife; mahiipate = of a king; katham = why; na buddhyase = not knowing; ugratvam = cruelty; raajadharmaaNaam = in kingly duties.
Verse 24
धर्मवादी शठो भर्ता श्लक्ष्णवादी च दारुणः |
शुद्धभावे न जानीषे तेनैवमतिसन्धिता || २-७-२४
“Your husband talks about righteousness, but does harm secretly. He says sweet words but behaves cruelly. Because of your clean thinking; you are not able to know that he is cheating you thus.”
24. bhartaa = your husband; dharma vaadii = talks of righteousness; shaThaH = but does harm secretly; shlakshhNa vaadii = talks sweetly; daaruNaH cha = but is a cruel man; shuddhabhaave = O; the clean minded! najaaniishhe = you are not able to know; atisandhitaa = that you are cheated; tena = by him; evam = thus.
Verse 25
उपस्थितं पयुञ्जानस्त्वयि सान्त्वमनर्थकम् |
अर्थेनैवाद्य ते भर्ता कौसल्यां योजयिष्यति || २-७-२५
“Your husband approaches you and talks good words, which are useless. But he passes on benefit today to Kausalya only.”
25. te bhartaa = your husband; upasthitaH = approaches you; prayuJNjaanaH = employs; anarthakam = useless; saantvam = good words; tvayi = in your instance; adya = today; yojayishhyati = he bestows; arthena = benefit to; kausalyameva = only Kausalya.
Verse 26
अपवाह्य स दुष्टात्मा भरतं तव बन्धुषु |
काल्यं स्थापयिता रामं राज्ये निहतकण्टके || २-७-२६
“The evil minded Dasaratha sent Bharata to the house of his relatives and at dawn, is going to install Rama on the throne without hindrance.”
26. dushhTaatmaa = the evil minded; saH = he; apavaahya = sent; bharatam = Bharata; tava bandhushhu = to his relatives; kalye = at dawn; sthaapayitaa = is going to install; ramam = Rama; raajye = in kingdom; nihatakaNTake = without hindrance.
Verse 27
शत्रुः पतिप्रवादेन मात्रेव हितकाम्यया |
आशीविष इवाङ्केन बाले परिधृतस्त्वया || २-७-२७
“O, childish one! Like a mother, you wish for his well being. But he is an enemy, and is called husband for a namesake. He is like a poisonous serpent in your bosom.”
27. baale = O; childish one! maatreva = like mother; hitakaamyayaa = being wished well being; tvayaa = by you; aashiivishhaH ankeneva = like a poisonous serpent in your bosom; shatruH = enemy; paridhR^itaH = being worn; patipravaadena = with husband’s name.
Verse 28
यथा हि कुर्यात्सर्पो वा शत्रुर्वा प्रत्युपेक्षितः |
राज्ञा दशरथेनाद्य सपुत्रा त्वं तथा कृता || २-७-२८
“King Dasaratha has acted towards you and your son today in the same way as an enemy or a serpent would behave if ignored.”
28. tvam = you; saputraa = along with your son; kR^itaa = have been done; raaJNaa dasarathena = by king Dasaratha; adya = today;yathaa tathaa kurvaat = as does; pratyupekshitaH = neglected; sarpo vaa = serpent or; shatruruvaa = an enemy
Verse 29
पापेनानृतसान्त्वेन बाले नित्यं सुखोचिते |
रामं स्थापयता राज्ये सानुबन्धा हता ह्यसि || २-७-२९
“O, stupid one! With his untruthful sweet words to you, who are ever deserving of ease, the evil minded king is installing Rama on the throne and is thus ruining you along with your son.”
29. baale = O; childish one! nityasukhochite = you; who are ever deserving of ease; anR^ita saantvena = with his untruthful sweet words; sthaapayitaa = by installing; raamam = Rama; raajye = in kingdom; saanubandhaa = you along with your child; asihi hataa = are being hit; paapena = by the sinful king.
Verse 30
सा प्राप्तकालं कैकेयि क्षिप्रं कुरु हितं तव |
त्रायस्व पुत्रमात्मानं मां च विस्मयदर्शने || २-७-३०
“O, Kaikeyi, of amazing beauty! You have to take timely action immediately, so as to save yourself, your son and me too.”
30. kaikeyi = O; Kaikeyi! vismaya darshane = you; with amazing beauty! saa = that you; kuru = do; hitam = required action; praaptakaalam = appropriate to the time; kshipram = immediately; traayasva = save; aatmaanam = yourself; putram = your son; maam cha = and me.
Verse 31
मन्थराया वचः श्रुत्वा शयनात्स शुभानना |
उत्तस्थौ हर्षसंपूर्णा चन्द्रलेखेव शारदी || २-७-३१
Hearing Manthara’s words, that Kaikeyi of charming countenance who was lying in bed, rose from her coach full of delight like unto the crescent moon in autumn.
31. shayanaa = lying in bed; saa = that; shubhaananaa = beautiful faced Kaikeyi; shrutvaa = hearing; mantharaayaaH = Manthara’s; vachaH = words; harshhasampuurNaa = full of delight; uttasthau = rose(from the coach); chandralekheva = as crescent moon; shaaradii = in autumn.
Verse 32
अतीव सा तु संहृष्टाअ कैकेयी विस्मयान्विता |
एकमाभरणं तस्यै कुब्जायै प्रददौ शुभम् || २-७-३२
That Kaikeyi in the midst of her astonishment and joy gave a graceful jewel to the hunch-backed Manthara.
32. saa kaikeyii = that Kaikeyi; atiiva = much; santushhTaa = delighted; vismayaanvitaa = with surprise; dadau = gave; ekam = one; shubham = graceful; aabharaNam = jewel; tasyai = to that; kubjaayai = hunch backed Manthara.
Verse 33
दत्त्वा त्वाभरणं तस्यै कुब्जायै प्रमदोत्तमा |
कैकेयी मन्थरां हृष्टा पुनरेवाब्रवीदिदम् || २-७-३३
Kaikeyi, the best among women, gave a jewel to Manthara and spoke to her as follows:
33. kaikeyi = Kaikeyi; pramadottamaa = the best among women; datvaa = gave; aabharaNam = a jewel; tasyai kubjaayai = to that hunch backed one; dR^istvaa = saw; mantharaam = Manthara; abraviit = spoke; idam = these words; punaH eva = again.
Verse 34
इदं तु मन्थरे मह्यमाख्यासि परमं प्रियम् |
एतन्मे प्रियमाख्यातुः किं वा भूयः करोमि ते || २-७-३४
“Oh, Manthara! You informed much gladdening news to me. What else can I do for you, who informed such a good news?”
34. manthare = O; Manthara! aakhyaasi = you informed; idam = this; paramam = much; priyam = delightful news; mahyam = to me; kim vaa = what; bhuuyaH = additional (favour); karomi = can I do; te = for you; aakhyaatuH = who informed; etat = such; priyam = good (news); me = to me.
Verse 36
न मे परम् किञ्चि दितस्त्वयापि न |
प्रियं प्रियार्हे सुवचम् वचो परम् |
तथा ह्यवोचस्त्वमतः प्रियोत्तरं |
वरं वरं ते प्रददामि तं वृणु || २-७-३६
“O, Manthara! You do merit every favor. I have no other pleasant news than this. Hence, you cannot ever again inform a better loving news than this. I shall give you a good boon. Ask for it!”
36. priyaarhe = O; Manthara; who are eligible to be delighted! na kinchit = No other; param = greater; itaH = than this; me = to me; na suvacham = cannot be told easily; param = greater; priyam = lovely; vachaH = words; tvayaapi = by you also; tvam = you; avochaH hi = informed; tathaa = thus; priyottaram = the best of loving news; ataH = for this reason; pradadaami = I shall give; param = good; varam = boon; te = to you; vR^iNu = ask for; tam = it.
Verse 35
रामे वा भरते वाहं विशेषं नोपलक्षये |
तस्मात्तुष्टास्मि यद्राजा रामं राज्येऽभिषेक्ष्यति || २-७-३५
“I do not see any difference between Rama and Bharata. That is why, I am happy that Rama is being anointed for crown by the king.”
35. aham = I; na upalakshaye = do not see; visheshham = difference; raamevaa = in either Rama; bharatevaa = or Bharata; tasmaat = that is why; tushhTaasmi = I am happy; yat = for; raajaa = king; abhishekshyati = anointing; ramam = Rama; raajye = in kingdom.
