Doha 13
दीख मंथरा नगरु बनावा। मंजुल मंगल बाज बधावा॥ पूछेसि लोगन्ह काह उछाहू। राम तिलकु सुनि भा उर दाहू॥१॥
करइ बिचारु कुबुद्धि कुजाती। होइ अकाजु कवनि बिधि राती॥ देखि लागि मधु कुटिल किराती। जिमि गवँ तकइ लेउँ केहि भाँती॥२॥
भरत मातु पहिं गइ बिलखानी। का अनमनि हसि कह हँसि रानी॥ ऊतरु देइ न लेइ उसासू। नारि चरित करि ढारइ आँसू॥ ३॥
हँसि कह रानि गालु बड़ तोरें। दीन्ह लखन सिख अस मन मोरें॥ तबहुँ न बोल चेरि बड़ि पापिनि। छाड़इ स्वास कारि जनु साँपिनि॥४॥
Meaning
Mantharā saw the city decorated and festal music melodiously playing; she, therefore, asked the people, “What is all this rejoicing about?” When she heard of Śrī Rāma’s forthcoming installation, she felt sore distressed in her heart. (1) That evil-minded and low-born woman pondered how this could be averted overnight, even as a wily Bhīla woman, who has seen a honeycomb hanging from a tree, schemes how to get hold of the honey. (2) Pulling a long face she approached Bharata’s mother, Kaikeyī. “What makes you look so grave?” the queen smilingly asked. Mantharā made no answer, but only heaved a deep sigh, and adopting the way of women, shed crocodile tears. (3) Said the queen laughing, “You are a most cheeky girl; what I suspect, therefore, is that Lakṣmaṇa has taught you a lesson.” Even then the most wicked maid-servant would not speak and merely hissed like a cobra. (4)
सभय रानि कह कहसि किन कुसल रामु महिपालु। लखनु भरतु रिपुदमनु सुनि भा कुबरी उर सालु॥१३॥
Meaning
Apprehensive of mischief, the queen said to her, “How is it that you do not speak? I hope Rāma and his royal father, Lakṣmaṇa, Bharata and Śatrughna are all well?” The hump-backed woman Mantharā was pained at heart to hear these words. (13)
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