Doha 12
Sarasvatī perverts the mind of Mantharā (a handmaid of queen Kaikeyī); dialogue between Kaikeyī and Mantharā
सुनि सुर बिनय ठाढ़ि पछिताती। भइउँ सरोज बिपिन हिमराती॥ देखि देव पुनि कहहिं निहोरी। मातु तोहि नहिं थोरिउ खोरी॥१॥
बिसमय हरष रहित रघुराऊ। तुम्ह जानहु सब राम प्रभाऊ॥ जीव करम बस सुख दुख भागी। जाइअ अवध देवहित लागी॥२॥
बार बार गहि चरन सँकोची। चली बिचारि बिबुध मति पोची॥ ऊँच निवासु नीचि करतूती। देखि न सकहिं पराइ बिभूती॥३॥
आगिल काजु बिचारि बहोरी। करिहहिं चाह कुसल कबि मोरी॥ हरषि हृदयँ दसरथ पुर आई। जनु ग्रह दसा दुसह दुखदाई॥४॥
Meaning
Hearing this prayer of the divinities, goddess Sarasvatī stood still and was grieved at the thought that she was going to play the same role with reference to the people of Ayodhyā as a wintry night does with respect to a bed of lotuses. Seeing her downcast, the gods spoke again in a suppliant tone, “Mother, not the least blame will come to you. (1) “For Śrī Raghunātha is above sorrow and joy alike. You are fully acquainted with Śrī Rāma’s glory. As for the people, every embodied soul is subject to pleasure and pain according to its fate. Therefore, you should go to Ayodhyā for the good of the celestials.”(2) Clasping her feet again and again they exerted great pressure on her till she yielded and set out, thinking the gods as mean-minded. She said to herself, ‘Though their abode is high, their doings are mean; they cannot see others’ prosperity.’ (3) Again, reflecting on the role she was destined to perform in the times to come, when worthy poets would seek her favour, she came with a cheerful heart to the capital of Daśaratha like the inexorable evil influence of some planet. (4)
नामु मंथरा मंदमति चेरी कैकइ केरि। अजस पेटारी ताहि करि गई गिरा मति फेरि॥१२॥
Meaning
Now Kaikeyī (Bharata’s mother) had a dull-witted maid-servant, Mantharā by name; having perverted her mind and making her the receptacle of ill-repute, Sarasvatī, the goddess of speech, returned to her abode. (12)
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