The Coronation Is Announced, and Manthara Speaks

Several years had passed since the wedding. Bharata and Shatrughna were away at their grandfather's home. King Dasharatha was growing old, and his mind kept returning to one thought: let me make Ram heir to the throne while I am still alive.

Ram had every quality that people hope for in a king. He never spoke harshly. If someone did him one kindness he remembered it, and if someone wronged him a hundred times he forgot. When there was grief in any house in the city, he grieved as if it were his own.

Dasharatha called the royal assembly, and kings came from far away. He said, "I have grown old sitting under this white umbrella. If it seems right to all of you, I will place the burden of the kingdom on Ram." The cheer that went up made the palace ring. To test them, the king asked, "Why do you want Ram while I still live?" They listed Ram's virtues one after another, and the king's eyes grew wet.

It was decided that the coronation would take place the next day, under the star Pushya. Vasishtha set the preparations in motion. Ram and Sita were asked to fast that night and sleep on a mat of kusha grass. Flags went up in every lane of Ayodhya and lamps were lit.

Manthara

Kaikeyi had a maid named Manthara, a hunchback, who had come with her from her father's house. That evening she climbed to the palace roof and saw the city being decorated. She asked Ram's nurse what was happening. "Tomorrow Ram is to be crowned," was the answer.

Burning inside, Manthara went down to Kaikeyi, who lay resting on her couch. "Get up, foolish woman! Ruin is coming to you and you sleep. Tomorrow Ram becomes heir to the throne."

Kaikeyi's face lit up. She took off one of her ornaments and gave it to Manthara. "What happy news you bring. I see no difference between Ram and Bharata. Ram serves me even more than he serves his own mother."

Manthara flung the ornament to the floor. Then, slowly, she began to pour in her poison. "If Ram is king today, Kaushalya is queen mother tomorrow, and you will stand before her with folded hands like a servant. Bharata was sent away on purpose. Once Ram is king he will exile Bharata or have him killed. The honour you enjoy today will be your son's ruin tomorrow."

Kaikeyi laughed at first. Then she fell silent. Then her face flushed. When fear settles in the mind, it stops listening to reason. "Then what should I do?" she asked.

Manthara reminded her: "Long ago, in the war between the gods and the demons, the king was wounded and you drove his chariot from the field and saved him. He offered you two boons, and you said you would ask when you wished. Ask today. With one, Bharata's coronation. With the other, fourteen years of forest exile for Ram. In fourteen years the people will forget Ram and Bharata's roots will be firm. Put on soiled clothes and lie on the floor of the chamber of anger. The king cannot bear your displeasure."

Kaikeyi tore off her jewels and went into the chamber of anger. Outside, Ayodhya celebrated all night.