---
title: "Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9"
canonical: "https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana/ayodhya-kanda/sarga-9"
lang: "en"
---

# Ayodhya Kanda, Sarga 9

> एवमुक्ता तु कैकेयी क्रोधेन ज्वलितानना।  
> दीर्घमुष्णं विनिःश्वस्य मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत्॥ १॥

Heaving a doleful sigh, when told thus, Kaikeyī, for her part, whose face was flushed with anger, spoke to Mantharā as follows : (1)

> अद्य राममितः क्षिप्रं वनं प्रस्थापयाम्यहम्।  
> यौवराज्ये भरतं क्षिप्रमद्याभिषेचये॥ २॥

“I shall without delay despatch Rāma to the forest from here this very day and shall further install Bharata in the office of Prince Regent without loss of time. (2)

> इदं त्विदानीं सम्पश्य केनोपायेन साधये।  
> भरतः प्राप्नुयाद् राज्यं न तु रामः कथंचन॥ ३॥

“Now just ponder over this: by what means should I be able to ensure that Bharata attains sovereignty and not Rāma on any account?” (3)

> एवमुक्ता तु सा देव्या मन्थरा पापदर्शिनी।  
> रामार्थमुपहिंसन्ती कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत्॥ ४॥

Addressed thus by the queen, Mantharā of sinful mind for her part replied to Kaikeyī as follows, impairing the (mundane) interest of Śrī Rāma : (4)

> हन्तेदानीं प्रपश्य त्वं कैकेयि श्रूयतां वचः।  
> यथा ते भरतो राज्यं पुत्रः प्राप्स्यति केवलम्॥ ५॥

“Ah, presently see you, O Kaikeyī, what I do. Listen to my advice whereby your son, Bharata, alone will attain sovereignty. (5)

> किं न स्मरसि कैकेयि स्मरन्ती वा निगूहसे।  
> यदुच्यमानमात्मार्थं मत्तस्त्वं श्रोतुमिच्छसि॥ ६॥

“Since you wish to hear from me of the plan conducive to your own interest, which has already been made known (by you off and on), do you not remember it yourself or do you hide it from me, even though you remember it, O Kaikeyī! (6)

> मयोच्यमानं यदि ते श्रोतुं छन्दो विलासिनि।  
> श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि श्रुत्वा चैतद् विधीयताम्॥ ७॥

“If your intention is to hear of it as told by me, O lady full of charms, I shall presently tell you; please listen and, when you have heard of it, it may be acted upon.” (7)

> श्रुत्वैवं वचनं तस्या मन्थरायास्तु कैकयी।  
> किंचिदुत्थाय शयनात् स्वास्तीर्णादिदमब्रवीत्॥ ८॥

Hearing this reply of the aforesaid Mantharā and rising a little (out of deference mixed with curiosity) from her bed, spread by herself and, therefore, faultless, Kaikeyī for her part spoke as follows : (8)

> कथयस्व ममोपायं केनोपायेन मन्थरे।  
> भरतः प्राप्नुयाद् राज्यं न तु रामः कथंचन॥ ९॥

“Point out to me the means. By what device, O Mantharā, may Bharata attain sovereignty and not Rāma in any case?” (9)

> एवमुक्ता तदा देव्या मन्थरा पापदर्शिनी।  
> रामार्थमुपहिंसन्ती कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत्॥ १०॥

Requested thus by the queen on that occasion, Mantharā of sinful intent spoke to Kaikeyī as follows, crushing the interest of Śrī Rāma : (10)

> पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे सह राजर्षिभिः पतिः।  
> अगच्छत् त्वामुपादाय देवराजस्य साह्यकृत्॥ ११॥  
> दिशमास्थाय कैकेयि दक्षिणां दण्डकान् प्रति।  
> वैजयन्तमिति ख्यातं पुरं यत्र तिमिध्वजः॥ १२॥

“Proceeding in a southerly direction in order to help the cause of Indra (the ruler of gods) in a war between gods and demons in the former days alongwith other dependent royal sages, and taking you with him, your husband, Emperor Daśaratha, O Kaikeyī, marched against the city known by the name of Vaijayanta in the Daṇḍaka forest, where lived the demon Timidhwaja (so-called because his ensign bore the emblem of Timi, a species of fish of enormous size). (11-12)

> स शम्बर इति ख्यातः शतमायो महासुरः।  
> ददौ शक्रस्य संग्रामं देवसङ्घैरनिर्जितः॥ १३॥

“Also known as Śambara, that great demon, who knew hundreds of conjuring tricks and could not be conquered even by hosts of gods, offered battle to Indra. (13)

> तस्मिन् महति संग्रामे पुरुषान् क्षतविक्षतान्।  
> रात्रौ प्रसुप्तान् घ्नन्ति स्म तरसापास्य राक्षसाः॥ १४॥

“Quickly carrying off from their beds at night the warriors injured and grievously wounded in the course of that great conflict and lying fast asleep, the ogre-like demons used to make short work of them. (14)

> तत्राकरोन्महायुद्धं राजा दशरथस्तदा।  
> असुरैश्च महाबाहुः शस्त्रैश्च शकलीकृतः॥ १५॥

“There Emperor Daśaratha fought a great battle with the demons and the mighty-armed hero was lacerated with weapons and missiles on that occasion. (15)

> अपवाह्य त्वया देवि संग्रामान्नष्टचेतनः।  
> तत्रापि विक्षतः शस्त्रैः पतिस्ते रक्षितस्त्वया॥ १६॥

“Having been removed in an unconscious state from the field of battle by you, O glorious lady, your husband, King Daśaratha, was mangled with weapons even there and saved by you by being taken to a still safer retreat. (16)

> तुष्टेन तेन दत्तौ ते द्वौ वरौ शुभदर्शने।  
> स त्वयोक्तः पतिर्देवि यदेच्छेयं तदा वरम्॥ १७॥  
> गृह्णीयां तु तदा भर्तस्तथेत्युक्तं महात्मना।  
> अनभिज्ञा ह्यहं देवि त्वयैव कथितं पुरा॥ १८॥

“A couple of boons were offered to you by him, pleased as he was with your invaluable services on two occasions one after another, O lady with charming looks ! The said Daśaratha, your husband, O queen, was, however, told by you as follows : ‘I shall certainly claim them when I will, O lord !’ ‘Amen !’ was the answer then given by the high-souled monarch. I was of course unaware of it, O queen ! It was by you alone that the episode was narrated in the days gone by. (17-18)

> कथैषा तव तु स्नेहान्मनसा धार्यते मया।  
> रामाभिषेकसम्भारान्निगृह्य विनिवर्तय॥ १९॥

“Out of affection for you, however, this incident is treasured by me in my mind. Binding your husband with a promise, put a stop to the preparations, already in hand, for Rāma’s installation. (19)

> तौ च याचस्व भर्तारं भरतस्याभिषेचनम्।  
> प्रव्राजनं च रामस्य वर्षाणि च चतुर्दश॥ २०॥

“Nay, ask of your husband the aforesaid two boons in the shape of Bharata’s installation as Prince Regent and the banishment of Rāma for fourteen years, for the second. (20)

> चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि रामे प्रव्राजिते वनम्।  
> प्रजाभावगतस्नेहः स्थिरः पुत्रो भविष्यति॥ २१॥

“Surely when Rāma has been sent into exile for fourteen years, your son, Bharata, will have sown the seeds of affection for himself in the heart of his subjects and will have been established on the throne. (21)

> क्रोधागारं प्रविश्याद्य क्रुद्धेवाश्वपतेः सुते।  
> शेष्वानन्तर्हितायां त्वं भूमौ मलिनवासिनी॥ २२॥

“As though indignant, enter the sulking-room this very day, O daughter of Aśwapati, and, clad in soiled garments, you lie down on the bare floor. (22)

> मा स्मैनं प्रत्युदीक्षेया मा चैनमभिभाषथाः।  
> रुदन्ती पार्थिवं दृष्ट्वा जगत्यां शोकलालसा॥ २३॥

“Start weeping the moment you see the king and lying on the ground plunged in grief, neither look at him nor speak to him. (23)

> दयिता त्वं सदा भर्तुरत्र मे नास्ति संशयः।  
> त्वत्कृते च महाराजो विशेदपि हुताशनम्॥ २४॥

“You are ever beloved of your spouse: I have no doubt about it. Nay, for your sake the Emperor can even enter fire. (24)

> न त्वां क्रोधयितुं शक्तो न क्रुद्धां प्रत्युदीक्षितुम्।  
> तव प्रियार्थं राजा तु प्राणानपि परित्यजेत्॥ २५॥

“The king dare not provoke you nor can he bear to see you angry. For your pleasure the king can literally lay down his very life. (25)

> नह्यतिक्रमितुं शक्तस्तव वाक्यं महीपतिः।  
> मन्दस्वभावे बुध्यस्व सौभाग्यबलमात्मनः॥ २६॥

“The monarch dare not in any case transgress your command. Realize the potency of your charms, O lady of sluggish disposition ! (26)

> मणिमुक्तासुवर्णानि रत्नानि विविधानि च।  
> दद्याद् दशरथो राजा मा स्म तेषु मनः कृथाः॥ २७॥

“King Daśaratha may offer you gems, pearls and gold as well as precious stones of various kinds; pray, do not set your mind on them. (27)

> यौ तौ देवासुरे युद्धे वरौ दशरथो ददौ।  
> तौ स्मारय महाभागे सोऽर्थो न त्वा क्रमेदति॥ २८॥

“Remind the monarch, O highly blessed lady, of those two momentous boons which Daśaratha offered to you in the course of the conflict between gods and demons. Let not that cherished object in the shape of Bharata’s installation as Prince Regent and Rāma’s exile slip out of your mind. (28)

> यदा तु ते वरं दद्यात् स्वयमुत्थाप्य राघवः।  
> व्यवस्थाप्य महाराजं त्वमिमं वृणुया वरम्॥ २९॥

“When, however, lifting you up personally, Daśaratha, a scion of Raghu, offers to you the promised boon, ask you the following boon of the Emperor, binding him with an oath : (29)

> रामप्रव्रजनं दूरं नव वर्षाणि पञ्च च।  
> भरतः क्रियतां राजा पृथिव्यां पार्थिवर्षभ॥ ३०॥

“ ‘Let Rāma be sent afar into exile for fourteen years and let Bharata be installed as the ruler of the globe, O jewel among kings !’ (30)

> चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि रामे प्रव्राजिते वनम्।  
> रूढश्च कृतमूलश्च शेषं स्थास्यति ते सुतः॥ ३१॥

“For, when Rāma is sent into exile for fourteen years, your son will have been established and firmly rooted on the throne of Ayodhyā by the time Rāma returns after completing the term of his exile and will continue as king for the rest of his life. (31)

> रामप्रव्राजनं चैव देवि याचस्व तं वरम्।  
> एवं सेत्स्यन्ति पुत्रस्य सर्वार्थास्तव कामिनि॥ ३२॥

“Over and above the installation of Bharata as Prince Regent, also positively ask of the king the boon in the shape of Rāma’s banishment, O glorious lady ! In this way all the objects of your son, Bharata, will be accomplished, O seeker of your son’s kingship ! (32)

> एवं प्रव्राजितश्चैव रामोऽरामो भविष्यति।  
> भरतश्च गतामित्रस्तव राजा भविष्यति॥ ३३॥

“Nay, exiled thus, Rāma will surely become unpopular, while your son, Bharata, will be a ruler without enemies. (33)

> येन कालेन रामश्च वनात् प्रत्यागमिष्यति।  
> अन्तर्बहिश्च पुत्रस्ते कृतमूलो भविष्यति॥ ३४॥  
> संगृहीतमनुष्यश्च सुहृद्भिः साकमात्मवान्।  
> प्राप्तकालं नु मन्येऽहं राजानं वीतसाध्वसा॥ ३५॥  
> रामाभिषेकसंकल्पान्निगृह्य विनिवर्तय।  
> अनर्थमर्थरूपेण ग्राहिता सा ततस्तया॥ ३६॥  
> हृष्टा प्रतीता कैकेयी मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत्।  
> सा हि वाक्येन कुब्जायाः किशोरीवोत्पथं गता॥ ३७॥  
> कैकेयी विस्मयं प्राप्य परं परमदर्शना।  
> प्रज्ञां ते नावजानामि श्रेष्ठे श्रेष्ठाभिधायिनि॥ ३८॥

“And by the time Rāma returns from the forest, your son, Bharata, will be firmly established with his relations and friends internally (in the mind of his subjects) as well as externally (in his dominion) and will have won people to his side, a man of self-control as he is. I regard this as an opportune moment for carrying out your design. Binding the monarch with an oath, fearlessly deter him from his resolve of installing Rāma as Prince Regent.” Taught by the hunchback to look upon evil as good and convinced accordingly, the aforesaid Kaikeyī thereupon felt delighted in mind. Having positively gone astray like a young (inexperienced) girl, thanks to the advice of the hunchback, though possessed of great wisdom, and experiencing great astonishment, Kaikeyī spoke to Mantharā as follows : “I will not disparage your wisdom, O noblest woman, who are imparting the best counsel to me. (34—38)

> पृथिव्यामसि कुब्जानामुत्तमा बुद्धिनिश्चये।  
> त्वमेव तु ममार्थेषु नित्ययुक्ता हितैषिणी॥ ३९॥

“You are the best among the hunchbacked on earth in judgment arrived at through reason. You are in fact my only well-wisher, and ever devoted to my interests. (39)

> नाहं समवबुद्ध्येयं कुब्जे राज्ञश्चिकीर्षितम्।  
> सन्ति दुःसंस्थिताः कुब्जाः वक्राः परमपापिकाः॥ ४०॥

“I cannot fully make out the intention of the king, O hunchback ! Deformed women, O hunchback, are generally ill-disposed and most sinful. You are, however, an honourable exception. (40)

> त्वं पद्ममिव वातेन संनता प्रियदर्शना।  
> उरस्तेऽभिनिविष्टं वै यावत् स्कन्धात् समुन्नतम्॥ ४१॥

“Though doubled up even as a lotus by wind, you are charming to look at. Only your breast is deformed by a hump and is unusually projected up to the shoulders. (41)

> अधस्ताच्चोदरं शान्तं सुनाभमिव लज्जितम्।  
> प्रतिपूर्णं च जघनं सुपीनौ च पयोधरौ॥ ४२॥

“Below the breast there is your abdomen of modest dimensions with a shapely navel, looking abashed as it were of the unusually protruding breast. Again there are your broad hinder part and remarkably full breasts. (42)

> विमलेन्दुसमं वक्त्रमहो राजसि मन्थरे।  
> जघनं तव निर्मृष्टं रशनादामभूषितम्॥ ४३॥

“Your countenance resembles the spotless moon. Oh, you look so splendid with it ! Hairless and therefore smooth is your hinder part, adorned as it is with a girdle of tiny bells. (43)

> जङ्घे भृशमुपन्यस्ते पादौ च व्यायतावुभौ।  
> त्वमायताभ्यां सक्थिभ्यां मन्थरे क्षौमवासिनी॥ ४४॥  
> अग्रतो मम गच्छन्ती राजसेऽतीव शोभने।  
> आसन् याः शम्बरे मायाः सहस्रमसुराधिपे॥ ४५॥  
> हृदये ते निविष्टास्ता भूयश्चान्याः सहस्रशः।  
> तदेव स्थगु यद् दीर्घं रथघोणमिवायतम्॥ ४६॥

“Most contiguous are your shanks and both your feet are exceptionally long. With your long thighs you look most charming while walking before me, O good-looking Mantharā, clad in a silk garment. A thousand conjuring tricks, which were known to Śambara, the overlord of demons, and still other tricks in thousands lie treasured in your heart. They alone constitute your big hump, which is prominent as the hub of a wheel of a chariot. (44—46)

> मतयः क्षत्रविद्याश्च मायाश्चात्र वसन्ति ते।  
> अत्र तेऽहं प्रमोक्ष्यामि मालां कुब्जे हिरण्मयीम्॥ ४७॥  
> अभिषिक्ते च भरते राघवे च वनं गते।  
> जात्येन च सुवर्णेन सुनिष्टप्तेन सुन्दरि॥ ४८॥

“In this hump of yours reside thoughts of various kinds, diplomacies and artifices. Nay, on this hump of yours I shall reverently drop a chain of molten gold of the highest quality, O lovely Mantharā, when Bharata is installed and Rāma, a scion of Raghu, has proceeded to the forest. (47-48)

> लब्धार्था च प्रतीता च लेपयिष्यामि ते स्थगु।  
> मुखे च तिलकं चित्रं जातरूपमयं शुभम्॥ ४९॥  
> कारयिष्यामि ते कुब्जे शुभान्याभरणानि च।  
> परिधाय शुभे वस्त्रे देवतेव चरिष्यसि॥ ५०॥

“When I have realized my aforesaid object and am thus pleased, I shall further paint your hump with sandal-paste and shall cause to be stuck (with wax etc.) on your forehead a sacred and beautiful tiny disk of gold inlaid with precious stones. Wearing a pair of garments, one about your loins and another covering your trunk, and lovely ornaments, you will move about like a goddess, O hunchback ! (49-50)

> चन्द्रमाह्वयमानेन मुखेनाप्रतिमानना।  
> गमिष्यसि गतिं मुख्यां गर्वयन्ती द्विषज्जने॥ ५१॥

“Possessed of a peerless countenance, you shall by your face vying with the moon attain a foremost position among women, behaving with pride in the midst of my enemies, i.e., co-wives. (51)

> तवापि कुब्जाः कुब्जायाः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः।  
> पादौ परिचरिष्यन्ति यथैव त्वं सदा मम॥ ५२॥

“Adorned with all kinds of ornaments other hunchbacked women will knead your feet, hunchbacked even though you are, precisely as you always do mine.” (52)

> इति प्रशस्यमाना सा कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत्।  
> शयानां शयने शुभ्रे वेद्यामग्निशिखामिव॥ ५३॥

Being flattered thus, Mantharā spoke as follows to Kaikeyī, lying on a spotless bed even like a sacred flame burning on an altar : (53)

> गतोदके सेतुबन्धो न कल्याणि विधीयते।  
> उत्तिष्ठ कुरु कल्याणं राजानमनुदर्शय॥ ५४॥

“No dam is constructed across a stream when its water has already flowed past, O blessed lady ! (It will be no use your asking a boon of the Emperor when Rāma has already been installed as Prince Regent). Therefore, get up, work your salvation and show yourself to the king in an angry mood.” (54)

> तथा प्रोत्साहिता देवी गत्वा मन्थरया सह।  
> क्रोधागारं विशालाक्षी सौभाग्यमदगर्विता॥ ५५॥  
> अनेकशतसाहस्रं मुक्ताहारं वराङ्गना।  
> अवमुच्य वरार्हाणि शुभान्याभरणानि च॥ ५६॥  
> तदा हेमोपमा तत्र कुब्जावाक्यवशंगता।  
> संविश्य भूमौ कैकेयी मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत्॥ ५७॥

Repairing alongwith Mantharā to the sulking-chamber, when incited thus by the latter, and casting away her pearl necklace, costing many lakhs, and other beautiful and costly ornaments, and lying down on the floor, the large-eyed Queen Kaikeyī, an excellent woman, who possessed a golden complexion, and was puffed up with pride born of comeliness and was dominated by the words of the hunchback, then spoke as follows to, Mantharā on that spot : (55—57)

> इह वा मां मृतां कुब्जे नृपायावेदयिष्यसि।  
> वनं तु राघवे प्राप्ते भरतः प्राप्स्यते क्षितिम्॥ ५८॥

“Either on Rāma, a scion of Raghu, having gone to the forest as an exile, Bharata will obtain the kingdom of the earth or you shall report me dead on this very spot to the apathetic king, O hunchback ! (58)

> सुवर्णेन न मे ह्यर्थो न रत्नैर्न च भोजनैः।  
> एष मे जीवितस्यान्तो रामो यद्यभिषिच्यते॥ ५९॥

“For I have nothing to do with gold nor with precious stones nor with meals any longer. This will be the end of my life if Rāma is installed as Prince Regent.” (59)

> अथो पुनस्तां महिषीं महीक्षितो  
> वचोभिरत्यर्थमहापराक्रमैः।  
> उवाच कुब्जा भरतस्य मातरं  
> हितं वचो राममुपेत्य चाहितम्॥ ६०॥

The hunchback then tendered once more to the king’s spouse and Bharata’s mother in most cruel words counsel which was friendly to her and hostile with reference to Rāma : (60)

> प्रपत्स्यते राज्यमिदं हि राघवो  
> यदि ध्रुवं त्वं ससुता च तप्स्यसे।  
> ततो हि कल्याणि यतस्व तत् तथा  
> यथा सुतस्ते भरतोऽभिषेक्ष्यते॥ ६१॥

“If Rāma, a scion of Raghu, actually inherits this kingdom, you will surely suffer with your son. Therefore, O blessed lady, take adequate steps to ensure that your son, Bharata, may be installed as Prince Regent !” (61)

> तथातिविद्धा महिषीति कुब्जया  
> समाहता वागिषुभिर्मुहुर्मुहुः।  
> विधाय हस्तौ हृदयेऽतिविस्मिता  
> शशंस कुब्जां कुपिता पुनः पुनः॥ ६२॥

Repeatedly struck by the hunchback again and again with shafts in the shape of the aforesaid words and pierced to the quick by them, nay, greatly amazed and enraged again and again (at the hostile attitude of her loving husband) the queen Kaikeyī spoke to the hunchback as follows, placing her hands on her heart (as a token of amazement) : (62)

> यमस्य वा मां विषयं गताभितो  
> निशम्य कुब्जे प्रतिवेदयिष्यसि।  
> वनं गते वा सुचिराय राघवे  
> समृद्धकामो भरतो भविष्यति॥ ६३॥

“Either Bharata will have his desire fulfilled on Rāma (a scion of Raghu) having retired to the forest for a considerably long period, or hearing of my having departed from this world for the region of Death, O hunchback, you will report me as dead to the king. (63)

> अहं हि नैवास्तरणानि न स्रजो  
> न चन्दनं नाञ्जनपानभोजनम्।  
> न किंचिदिच्छामि न चेह जीवनं  
> न चेदितो गच्छति राघवो वनम्॥ ६४॥

In case Rāma (a scion of Raghu) does not proceed to the forest from Ayodhyā, I shall, really speaking, on no account seek bed-clothes nor garlands nor sandal-paste nor eye-salve, food or drink, nor anything else nor even life in this world.” (64)

> अथैवमुक्त्वा वचनं सुदारुणं  
> निधाय सर्वाभरणानि भामिनी।  
> असंस्कृतामास्तरणेन मेदिनीं  
> तदाधिशिश्ये पतितेव किंनरी॥ ६५॥

Having made this most cruel utterance and forthwith shedding all ornaments, the proud woman, Kaikeyī, then lay down, like a Kinnara woman fallen from heaven, on the floor, not covered with any bed-cloth. (65)

> उदीर्णसंरम्भतमोवृतानना  
> तदावमुक्तोत्तममाल्यभूषणा।  
> नरेन्द्रपत्नी विमना बभूव सा  
> तमोवृता द्यौरिव मग्नतारका॥ ६६॥

With her face veiled by darkness in the shape of violent rage and with her excellent garlands and ornaments cast to the ground, that disconsolate queen Kaikeyī looked on that occasion like the firmament enveloped in darkness with its stars swallowed up by it. (66)

Book: https://ramayana.com/valmiki-ramayana

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