The Two Boons Remembered

Shloka 1 (ayodhya.9.1)

एवमुक्ता तु कैकेयी क्रोधेन ज्वलितानना । दीर्घमुष्णं विनिःश्वस्य मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत् ॥ 9.1 ॥

evamuktā tu kaikeyī krodhena jvalitānanā | dīrghamuṣṇaṃ viniḥśvasya mantharāmidamabravīt

Thus addressed, Kaikeyi, her face ablaze with anger, let out a long, hot sigh and said this to Manthara:

Shloka 2 (ayodhya.9.2)

अद्य राममितः क्षिप्रं वनं प्रस्थापयाम्यहम् । यौवराज्येन भरतं क्षिप्रमद्याभिषेचये ॥ 9.2 ॥

adya rāmamitaḥ kṣipraṃ vanaṃ prasthāpayāmyaham | yauvarājyena bharataṃ kṣipramadyābhiṣecaye

"This very day I shall send Rama swiftly from here to the forest, and this very day I shall have Bharata anointed at once to the crown-princeship."

Shloka 3 (ayodhya.9.3)

इदं त्विदानीं सम्पश्य केनोपायेन साधये । भरतः प्राप्नुयाद् राज्यं न तु रामः कथंचन ॥ 9.3 ॥

idaṃ tvidānīṃ sampaśya kenopāyena sādhaye | bharataḥ prāpnuyād rājyaṃ na tu rāmaḥ kathaṃcana

"But now consider this: by what means can I so arrange it that Bharata obtains the kingdom, and Rama does not, by any means at all?"

Shloka 4 (ayodhya.9.4)

एवमुक्ता तु सा देव्या मन्थरा पापदर्शिनी । रामार्थमुपहिंसन्ती कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ 9.4 ॥

evamuktā tu sā devyā mantharā pāpadarśinī | rāmārthamupahiṃsantī kaikeyīmidamabravīt

Thus addressed by the queen, Manthara, evil of intent, bent on destroying Rama's fortune, said this to Kaikeyi:

Shloka 5 (ayodhya.9.5)

हन्तेदानीं प्रपश्य त्वं कैकेयि श्रूयतां वचः । यथा ते भरतो राज्यं पुत्रः प्राप्स्यति केवलम् ॥ 9.5 ॥

hantedānīṃ prapaśya tvaṃ kaikeyi śrūyatāṃ vacaḥ | yathā te bharato rājyaṃ putraḥ prāpsyati kevalam

"Ah, now attend, Kaikeyi — listen to my words as to how your son Bharata alone will obtain the kingdom."

Shloka 6 (ayodhya.9.6)

किं न स्मरसि कैकेयि स्मरन्ती वा निगूहसे । यदुच्यमानमात्मार्थं मत्तस्त्वं श्रोतुमिच्छसि ॥ 9.6 ॥

kiṃ na smarasi kaikeyi smarantī vā nigūhase | yaducyamānamātmārthaṃ mattastvaṃ śrotumicchasi

"Do you not remember, Kaikeyi, the thing you wish to hear told by me for your own good — or do you remember it, and are only concealing it?"

Shloka 7 (ayodhya.9.7)

मयोच्यमानं यदि ते श्रोतुं छन्दो विलासिनि । श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि श्रुत्वा चैतद् विधीयताम् ॥ 9.7 ॥

mayocyamānaṃ yadi te śrotuṃ chando vilāsini | śrūyatāmabhidhāsyāmi śrutvā caitad vidhīyatām

"If it pleases you, O charming one, to hear it told by me, then listen — I shall speak it; and having heard it, act upon it."

Shloka 8 (ayodhya.9.8)

श्रुत्वैवं वचनं तस्या मन्थरायास्तु कैकयी । किंचिदुत्थाय शयनात् स्वास्तीर्णादिदमब्रवीत् ॥ 9.8 ॥

śrutvaivaṃ vacanaṃ tasyā mantharāyāstu kaikayī | kiṃcidutthāya śayanāt svāstīrṇādidamabravīt

Hearing these words of Manthara's, Kaikeyi raised herself a little from her well-spread bed, and said this:

Shloka 9 (ayodhya.9.9)

कथयस्व ममोपायं केनोपायेन मन्थरे । भरतः प्राप्नुयाद् राज्यं न तु रामः कथंचन ॥ 9.9 ॥

kathayasva mamopāyaṃ kenopāyena manthare | bharataḥ prāpnuyād rājyaṃ na tu rāmaḥ kathaṃcana

"Tell me the means, Manthara — by what means Bharata may obtain the kingdom, and Rama by no means at all."

Shloka 10 (ayodhya.9.10)

एवमुक्ता तदा देव्या मन्थरा पापदर्शिनी । रामार्थमुपहिंसन्ती कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ 9.10 ॥

evamuktā tadā devyā mantharā pāpadarśinī | rāmārthamupahiṃsantī kaikeyīmidamabravīt

Thus addressed again by the queen, Manthara, evil of intent, bent on destroying Rama's fortune, said this to Kaikeyi:

Shloka 11 (ayodhya.9.11)

पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे सह राजर्षिभिः पतिः । अगच्छत् त्वामुपादाय देवराजस्य साह्यकृत् ॥ 9.11 ॥

purā devāsure yuddhe saha rājarṣibhiḥ patiḥ | agacchat tvāmupādāya devarājasya sāhyakṛt

"Long ago, in the war between gods and demons, your husband, taking you with him, went along with the royal sages to render aid to the king of the gods,

Shloka 12 (ayodhya.9.12)

दिशमास्थाय कैकेयि दक्षिणां दण्डकान् प्रति । वैजयन्तमिति ख्यातं पुरं यत्र तिमिध्वजः ॥ 9.12 ॥

diśamāsthāya kaikeyi dakṣiṇāṃ daṇḍakān prati | vaijayantamiti khyātaṃ puraṃ yatra timidhvajaḥ

setting out toward the southern quarter, in the direction of the Dandaka forest, to a city famed as Vaijayanta, where dwelt Timidhvaja.

Shloka 13 (ayodhya.9.13)

स शम्बर इति ख्यातः शतमायो महासुरः । ददौ शक्रस्य संग्रामं देवसङ्घैरनिर्जितः ॥ 9.13 ॥

sa śambara iti khyātaḥ śatamāyo mahāsuraḥ | dadau śakrasya saṃgrāmaṃ devasaṅghairanirjitaḥ

That great demon, known as Shambara, master of a hundred illusions, unconquered by the hosts of gods, gave battle to Indra.

Shloka 14 (ayodhya.9.14)

तस्मिन् महति संग्रामे पुरुषान् क्षतविक्षतान् । रात्रौ प्रसुप्तान् घ्नन्ति स्म तरसापास्य राक्षसाः ॥ 9.14 ॥

tasmin mahati saṃgrāme puruṣān kṣatavikṣatān | rātrau prasuptān ghnanti sma tarasāpāsya rākṣasāḥ

In that great battle, the rakshasas would swoop down by force and slay men already wounded, and even those asleep at night.

Shloka 15 (ayodhya.9.15)

तत्राकरोन्महायुद्धं राजा दशरथस्तदा । असुरैश्च महाबाहुः शस्त्रैश्च शकलीकृतः ॥ 9.15 ॥

tatrākaronmahāyuddhaṃ rājā daśarathastadā | asuraiśca mahābāhuḥ śastraiśca śakalīkṛtaḥ

There King Dasharatha then fought a great battle, and that mighty-armed one was cut to pieces by the weapons of the demons.

Shloka 16 (ayodhya.9.16)

अपवाह्य त्वया देवि संग्रामान्नष्टचेतनः । तत्रापि विक्षतः शस्त्रैः पतिस्ते रक्षितस्त्वया ॥ 9.16 ॥

apavāhya tvayā devi saṃgrāmānnaṣṭacetanaḥ | tatrāpi vikṣataḥ śastraiḥ patiste rakṣitastvayā

O Queen, you carried him away, senseless, from that battlefield; and there too, wounded by weapons, your husband was saved by you.

Shloka 17 (ayodhya.9.17)

तुष्टेन तेन दत्तौ ते द्वौ वरौ शुभदर्शने । स त्वयोक्तः पतिर्देवि यदेच्छेयं तदा वरम् ॥ 9.17 ॥

tuṣṭena tena dattau te dvau varau śubhadarśane | sa tvayoktaḥ patirdevi yadeccheyaṃ tadā varam

Pleased with you, O fair one, he granted you two boons; and you, O Queen, said to your husband, 'I shall ask for these whenever I wish.'

Shloka 18 (ayodhya.9.18)

गृह्णीयां तु तदा भर्तस्तथेत्युक्तं महात्मना । अनभिज्ञा ह्यहं देवि त्वयैव कथितं पुरा ॥ 9.18 ॥

gṛhṇīyāṃ tu tadā bhartastathetyuktaṃ mahātmanā | anabhijñā hyahaṃ devi tvayaiva kathitaṃ purā

'I shall take them then, my husband' — and the great-souled king said, 'So be it.' O Queen, I myself knew nothing of this; it was you yourself who told me of it long ago.

Shloka 19 (ayodhya.9.19)

कथैषा तव तु स्नेहान्मनसा धार्यते मया । रामाभिषेकसम्भारान्निगृह्य विनिवर्तय ॥ 9.19 ॥

kathaiṣā tava tu snehānmanasā dhāryate mayā | rāmābhiṣekasambhārānnigṛhya vinivartaya

This story of yours I have kept in my mind out of affection for you. So now, by force, hold back and reverse all the preparations for Rama's anointment.

Shloka 20 (ayodhya.9.20)

तौ च याचस्व भर्तारं भरतस्याभिषेचनम् । प्रव्राजनं च रामस्य वर्षाणि च चतुर्दश ॥ 9.20 ॥

tau ca yācasva bhartāraṃ bharatasyābhiṣecanam | pravrājanaṃ ca rāmasya varṣāṇi ca caturdaśa

And ask your husband for those two boons: the anointment of Bharata, and the banishment of Rama to the forest for fourteen years.

Shloka 21 (ayodhya.9.21)

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि रामे प्रव्राजिते वनम् । प्रजाभावगतस्नेहः स्थिरः पुत्रो भविष्यति ॥ 9.21 ॥

caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi rāme pravrājite vanam | prajābhāvagatasnehaḥ sthiraḥ putro bhaviṣyati

For if Rama is exiled to the forest for fourteen years, your son's affectionate hold upon the hearts of the people will grow firm and secure.

Shloka 22 (ayodhya.9.22)

क्रोधागारं प्रविश्याद्य क्रुद्धेवाश्वपतेः सुते । शेष्वानन्तर्हितायां त्वं भूमौ मलिनवासिनी ॥ 9.22 ॥

krodhāgāraṃ praviśyādya kruddhevāśvapateḥ sute | śeṣvānantarhitāyāṃ tvaṃ bhūmau malinavāsinī

This very day, O daughter of Ashvapati, enter the chamber of wrath as though truly angry, and lie down upon the bare ground, wearing soiled garments.

Shloka 23 (ayodhya.9.23)

मा स्मैनं प्रत्युदीक्षेथा मा चैनमभिभाषथाः । रुदन्ती पार्थिवं दृष्ट्वा जगत्यां शोकलालसा ॥ 9.23 ॥

mā smainaṃ pratyudīkṣethā mā cainamabhibhāṣathāḥ | rudantī pārthivaṃ dṛṣṭvā jagatyāṃ śokalālasā

Do not so much as look at him, do not speak to him at all — weeping, given over to grief, lying upon the ground, when you see the king.

Shloka 24 (ayodhya.9.24)

दयिता त्वं सदा भर्तुरत्र मे नास्ति संशयः । त्वत्कृते च महाराजो विशेदपि हुताशनम् ॥ 9.24 ॥

dayitā tvaṃ sadā bharturatra me nāsti saṃśayaḥ | tvatkṛte ca mahārājo viśedapi hutāśanam

You are always beloved of your husband — of this I have no doubt. For your sake, the great king would even walk into blazing fire."

Shloka 25 (ayodhya.9.25)

न त्वां क्रोधयितुं शक्तो न क्रुद्धां प्रत्युदीक्षितुम् । तव प्रियार्थं राजा तु प्राणानपि परित्यजेत् ॥ 9.25 ॥

na tvāṃ krodhayituṃ śakto na kruddhāṃ pratyudīkṣitum | tava priyārthaṃ rājā tu prāṇānapi parityajet

"He is not able to make you angry, nor even bear to look at you angered; for your love's sake, the king would give up his very life."

Shloka 26 (ayodhya.9.26)

न ह्यतिक्रमितुं शक्तस्तव वाक्यं महीपतिः । मन्दस्वभावे बुध्यस्व सौभाग्यबलमात्मनः ॥ 9.26 ॥

na hyatikramituṃ śaktastava vākyaṃ mahīpatiḥ | mandasvabhāve budhyasva saubhāgyabalamātmanaḥ

"The king is powerless to disobey your word. O simple-hearted one, come to know the strength of your own good fortune!"

Shloka 27 (ayodhya.9.27)

मणिमुक्तासुवर्णानि रत्नानि विविधानि च । दद्याद् दशरथो राजा मा स्म तेषु मनः कृथाः ॥ 9.27 ॥

maṇimuktāsuvarṇāni ratnāni vividhāni ca | dadyād daśaratho rājā mā sma teṣu manaḥ kṛthāḥ

"King Dasharatha may offer you gems, pearls, gold, and jewels of every kind — do not set your heart on any of these."

Shloka 28 (ayodhya.9.28)

यौ तौ देवासुरे युद्धे वरौ दशरथो ददौ । तौ स्मारय महाभागे सोऽर्थो न त्वा क्रमेदति ॥ 9.28 ॥

yau tau devāsure yuddhe varau daśaratho dadau | tau smāraya mahābhāge so'rtho na tvā kramedati

"Remind him, O most fortunate one, of those very two boons which Dasharatha granted in the war of gods and demons — see that this advantage does not slip past you."

Shloka 29 (ayodhya.9.29)

यदा तु ते वरं दद्यात् स्वयमुत्थाप्य राघवः । व्यवस्थाप्य महाराजं त्वमिमं वृणुया वरम् ॥ 9.29 ॥

yadā tu te varaṃ dadyāt svayamutthāpya rāghavaḥ | vyavasthāpya mahārājaṃ tvamimaṃ vṛṇuyā varam

"And when Raghava himself raises you up and offers you the boon, once you have made the great king firmly committed, then ask for this boon:

Shloka 30 (ayodhya.9.30)

रामप्रव्रजनं दूरं नव वर्षाणि पञ्च च । भरतः क्रियतां राजा पृथिव्यां पार्थिवर्षभ ॥ 9.30 ॥

rāmapravrajanaṃ dūraṃ nava varṣāṇi pañca ca | bharataḥ kriyatāṃ rājā pṛthivyāṃ pārthivarṣabha

'Let Rama's banishment be to a distant place, for nine years and five; and let Bharata, O bull among kings, be made king of this earth.'"

Shloka 31 (ayodhya.9.31)

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि रामे प्रव्राजिते वनम् । रूढश्च कृतमूलश्च शेषं स्थास्यति ते सुतः ॥ 9.31 ॥

caturdaśa hi varṣāṇi rāme pravrājite vanam | rūḍhaśca kṛtamūlaśca śeṣaṃ sthāsyati te sutaḥ

"For with Rama banished to the forest for fourteen years, your son will grow established, with roots firmly laid, and will remain so for the time that follows."

Shloka 32 (ayodhya.9.32)

रामप्रव्राजनं चैव देवि याचस्व तं वरम् । एवं सेत्स्यन्ति पुत्रस्य सर्वार्थास्तव कामिनि ॥ 9.32 ॥

rāmapravrājanaṃ caiva devi yācasva taṃ varam | evaṃ setsyanti putrasya sarvārthāstava kāmini

"So, O Queen, ask him for this very boon — Rama's exile. Thus, O lovely one, every purpose of your son's will be accomplished."

Shloka 33 (ayodhya.9.33)

एवं प्रव्राजितश्चैव रामोऽरामो भविष्यति । भरतश्च गतामित्रस्तव राजा भविष्यति ॥ 9.33 ॥

evaṃ pravrājitaścaiva rāmo'rāmo bhaviṣyati | bharataśca gatāmitrastava rājā bhaviṣyati

"Thus exiled, Rama will become one no longer pleasing to the people; and your Bharata, his rivals gone, will become king."

Shloka 34 (ayodhya.9.34)

येन कालेन रामश्च वनात् प्रत्यागमिष्यति । अन्तर्बहिश्च पुत्रस्ते कृतमूलो भविष्यति ॥ 9.34 ॥

yena kālena rāmaśca vanāt pratyāgamiṣyati | antarbahiśca putraste kṛtamūlo bhaviṣyati

"By the time Rama returns from the forest, your son will have struck root, both within the palace and beyond it."

Shloka 35 (ayodhya.9.35)

संगृहीतमनुष्यश्च सुहृद्भिः साकमात्मवान् । प्राप्तकालं नु मन्येऽहं राजानं वीतसाध्वसा ॥ 9.35 ॥

saṃgṛhītamanuṣyaśca suhṛdbhiḥ sākamātmavān | prāptakālaṃ nu manye'haṃ rājānaṃ vītasādhvasā

"Having won over the people, and, wise, gathered his friends about him — I think, indeed, that the time is right; be free of fear, and turn the king from his purpose."

Shloka 36 (ayodhya.9.36)

रामाभिषेकसंकल्पान्निगृह्य विनिवर्तय । अनर्थमर्थरूपेण ग्राहिता सा ततस्तया ॥ 9.36 ॥

rāmābhiṣekasaṃkalpānnigṛhya vinivartaya | anarthamartharūpeṇa grāhitā sā tatastayā

"Forcibly hold back and turn aside his resolve to anoint Rama." Thus, by Manthara, was Kaikeyi made to accept ruin in the very guise of her own advantage.

Shloka 37 (ayodhya.9.37)

हृष्टा प्रतीता कैकेयी मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत् । सा हि वाक्येन कुब्जायाः किशोरीवोत्पथं गता ॥ 9.37 ॥

hṛṣṭā pratītā kaikeyī mantharāmidamabravīt | sā hi vākyena kubjāyāḥ kiśorīvotpathaṃ gatā

Delighted and convinced, Kaikeyi said this to Manthara — for by the hunchback's words she, like a young girl, had been led onto a wrong path.

Shloka 38 (ayodhya.9.38)

कैकेयी विस्मयं प्राप्य परं परमदर्शना । प्रज्ञां ते नावजानामि श्रेष्ठे श्रेष्ठाभिधायिनि ॥ 9.38 ॥

kaikeyī vismayaṃ prāpya paraṃ paramadarśanā | prajñāṃ te nāvajānāmi śreṣṭhe śreṣṭhābhidhāyini

Kaikeyi, of fair countenance, filled with the greatest wonder, said, "I never took your wisdom for what it truly is, O best of women, best of speakers.

Shloka 39 (ayodhya.9.39)

पृथिव्यामसि कुब्जानामुत्तमा बुद्धिनिश्चये । त्वमेव तु ममार्थेषु नित्ययुक्ता हितैषिणी ॥ 9.39 ॥

pṛthivyāmasi kubjānāmuttamā buddhiniścaye | tvameva tu mamārtheṣu nityayuktā hitaiṣiṇī

On this whole earth you are the very best among hunchbacks in soundness of judgment; you alone are ever devoted to my interests, ever wishing me well."

Shloka 40 (ayodhya.9.40)

नाहं समवबुद्ध्येयं कुब्जे राज्ञश्चिकीर्षितम् । सन्ति दुःसंस्थिताः कुब्जाः वक्राः परमपापिकाः ॥ 9.40 ॥

nāhaṃ samavabuddhyeyaṃ kubje rājñaścikīrṣitam | santi duḥsaṃsthitāḥ kubjāḥ vakrāḥ paramapāpikāḥ

"Without you, hunchback, I would never have understood the king's true intent. There are hunchbacks who are ill-formed, crooked, and utterly wicked —

Shloka 41 (ayodhya.9.41)

त्वं पद्ममिव वातेन संनता प्रियदर्शना । उरस्तेऽभिनिविष्टं वै यावत् स्कन्धात् समुन्नतम् ॥ 9.41 ॥

tvaṃ padmamiva vātena saṃnatā priyadarśanā | uraste'bhiniviṣṭaṃ vai yāvat skandhāt samunnatam

but you, lovely to behold, are bent like a lotus stem bowed by the wind. Your bosom is full and rises evenly clear up to your shoulders.

Shloka 42 (ayodhya.9.42)

अधस्ताच्चोदरं शान्तं सुनाभमिव लज्जितम् । प्रतिपूर्णं च जघनं सुपीनौ च पयोधरौ ॥ 9.42 ॥

adhastāccodaraṃ śāntaṃ sunābhamiva lajjitam | pratipūrṇaṃ ca jaghanaṃ supīnau ca payodharau

Below it, your belly is smooth, its navel well-formed, as though modestly hidden; your hips are full, and your breasts round and firm.

Shloka 43 (ayodhya.9.43)

विमलेन्दुसमं वक्त्रमहो राजसि मन्थरे । जघनं तव निर्मृष्टं रशनादामभूषितम् ॥ 9.43 ॥

vimalendusamaṃ vaktramaho rājasi manthare | jaghanaṃ tava nirmṛṣṭaṃ raśanādāmabhūṣitam

Your face is like the spotless moon — ah, Manthara, how radiant you are! Your waist, well-shaped, is adorned with a jewelled girdle-cord.

Shloka 44 (ayodhya.9.44)

जङ्घे भृशमुपन्यस्ते पादौ च व्यायतावुभौ । त्वमायताभ्यां सक्थिभ्यां मन्थरे क्षौमवासिनी ॥ 9.44 ॥

jaṅghe bhṛśamupanyaste pādau ca vyāyatāvubhau | tvamāyatābhyāṃ sakthibhyāṃ manthare kṣaumavāsinī

Your calves are shapely, and your two feet long and well-formed; and with your long thighs, Manthara, clad in fine silk —

Shloka 45 (ayodhya.9.45)

अग्रतो मम गच्छन्ती राजसेऽतीव शोभने । आसन् याः शम्बरे मायाः सहस्रम् असुराधिपे ॥ 9.45 ॥

agrato mama gacchantī rājase'tīva śobhane | āsan yāḥ śambare māyāḥ sahasram asurādhipe

— walking ahead of me, O most beautiful one, you shine forth gloriously! The thousand illusions that dwelt in Shambara, lord of demons —

Shloka 46 (ayodhya.9.46)

हृदये ते निविष्टास् ता भूयश् चान्याः सहस्रशः । तदेव स्थगु यद् दीर्घं रथ-घोणम् इवायतम् ॥ 9.46 ॥

hṛdaye te niviṣṭās tā bhūyaś cānyāḥ sahasraśaḥ | tadeva sthagu yad dīrghaṃ ratha-ghoṇam ivāyatam

— those, and thousands more besides, dwell now in your own heart; and that very hump of yours, long and drawn out like the shaft of a chariot,

Shloka 47 (ayodhya.9.47)

मतयः क्षत्र-विद्याश् च मायाश्चात्र वसन्ति ते । अत्र तेऽहं प्रमोक्ष्यामि मालां कुब्जे हिरण्मयीम् ॥ 9.47 ॥

matayaḥ kṣatra-vidyāś ca māyāścātra vasanti te | atra te'haṃ pramokṣyāmi mālāṃ kubje hiraṇmayīm

— is where your wisdom, your skill in statecraft, and your magic powers all reside! Upon it, O hunchback, I shall myself place a garland of gold.

Shloka 48 (ayodhya.9.48)

अभिषिक्ते च भरते राघवे च वनं गते । जात्येन च सुवर्णेन सुनिष्टप्तेन सुन्दरि ॥ 9.48 ॥

abhiṣikte ca bharate rāghave ca vanaṃ gate | jātyena ca suvarṇena suniṣṭaptena sundari

"When Bharata is anointed and Raghava has gone to the forest, O lovely one, with fine, well-refined gold —

Shloka 49 (ayodhya.9.49)

लब्धार्था च प्रतीता च लेपयिष्यामि ते स्थगु । मुखे च तिलकं चित्रं जातरूपमयं शुभम् ॥ 9.49 ॥

labdhārthā ca pratītā ca lepayiṣyāmi te sthagu | mukhe ca tilakaṃ citraṃ jātarūpamayaṃ śubham

— my purpose gained and my heart content, I shall have your hump overlaid with gold, and place upon your forehead a lovely, ornate mark of pure gold.

Shloka 50 (ayodhya.9.50)

कारयिष्यामि ते कुब्जे शुभान्याभरणानि च । परिधाय शुभे वस्त्रे देवतेव चरिष्यसि ॥ 9.50 ॥

kārayiṣyāmi te kubje śubhānyābharaṇāni ca | paridhāya śubhe vastre devateva cariṣyasi

I shall have beautiful ornaments made for you too, O hunchback; and clad in fine garments, you will move about like a very goddess.

Shloka 51 (ayodhya.9.51)

चन्द्रमाह्वयमानेन मुखेनाप्रतिमानना । गमिष्यसि गतिं मुख्यां गर्वयन्ती द्विषज्जने ॥ 9.51 ॥

candramāhvayamānena mukhenāpratimānanā | gamiṣyasi gatiṃ mukhyāṃ garvayantī dviṣajjane

With your face rivalling the very moon, incomparable one, you will walk with the foremost gait, holding your head high before your rivals.

Shloka 52 (ayodhya.9.52)

तवापि कुब्जाः कुब्जायाः सर्वाभरणभूषिताः । पादौ परिचरिष्यन्ति यथैव त्वं सदा मम ॥ 9.52 ॥

tavāpi kubjāḥ kubjāyāḥ sarvābharaṇabhūṣitāḥ | pādau paricariṣyanti yathaiva tvaṃ sadā mama

And other hunchbacked women, adorned with every ornament, will attend upon your feet, O hunchback, just as you have always attended upon mine."

Shloka 53 (ayodhya.9.53)

इति प्रशस्यमाना सा कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत् । शयानां शयने शुभ्रे वेद्यामग्निशिखामिव ॥ 9.53 ॥

iti praśasyamānā sā kaikeyīmidamabravīt | śayānāṃ śayane śubhre vedyāmagniśikhāmiva

Thus praised, Manthara said this to Kaikeyi, who lay on her bright couch like a tongue of flame upon the sacrificial altar:

Shloka 54 (ayodhya.9.54)

गतोदके सेतुबन्धो न कल्याणि विधीयते । उत्तिष्ठ कुरु कल्याणं राजानमनुदर्शय ॥ 9.54 ॥

gatodake setubandho na kalyāṇi vidhīyate | uttiṣṭha kuru kalyāṇaṃ rājānamanudarśaya

"O gracious one, once the water has run out, no one builds a dam. Rise, do what is to your good, and show the king your influence!"

Shloka 55 (ayodhya.9.55)

तथा प्रोत्साहिता देवी गत्वा मन्थरया सह । क्रोधागारं विशालाक्षी सौभाग्यमदगर्विता ॥ 9.55 ॥

tathā protsāhitā devī gatvā mantharayā saha | krodhāgāraṃ viśālākṣī saubhāgyamadagarvitā

Thus encouraged, the wide-eyed queen, proud in the pride of her beauty and fortune, went with Manthara to the chamber of wrath;

Shloka 56 (ayodhya.9.56)

अनेकशतसाहस्रं मुक्ताहारं वराङ्गना । अवमुच्य वरार्हाणि शुभान्याभरणानि च ॥ 9.56 ॥

anekaśatasāhasraṃ muktāhāraṃ varāṅganā | avamucya varārhāṇi śubhānyābharaṇāni ca

and that lovely woman, taking off her pearl necklace worth many hundred thousand pieces, along with her other precious and auspicious ornaments,

Shloka 57 (ayodhya.9.57)

तदा हेमोपमा तत्र कुब्जावाक्यवशंगता । संविश्य भूमौ कैकेयी मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत् ॥ 9.57 ॥

tadā hemopamā tatra kubjāvākyavaśaṃgatā | saṃviśya bhūmau kaikeyī mantharāmidamabravīt

lay down there upon the ground, golden-hued, wholly under the sway of the hunchback's words, and said this to Manthara:

Shloka 58 (ayodhya.9.58)

इह वा मां मृतां कुब्जे नृपायावेदयिष्यसि । वनं तु राघवे प्राप्ते भरतः प्राप्स्यते क्षितिम् ॥ 9.58 ॥

iha vā māṃ mṛtāṃ kubje nṛpāyāvedayiṣyasi | vanaṃ tu rāghave prāpte bharataḥ prāpsyate kṣitim

"Either you shall report to the king that you found me dead here, or, once Raghava has gone to the forest, Bharata shall obtain this earth."

Shloka 59 (ayodhya.9.59)

सुवर्णेन न मे ह्यर्थो न रत्नैर्न च भोजनैः । एष मे जीवितस्यान्तो रामो यद्यभिषिच्यते ॥ 9.59 ॥

suvarṇena na me hyartho na ratnairna ca bhojanaiḥ | eṣa me jīvitasyānto rāmo yadyabhiṣicyate

"I have no need of gold, nor of jewels, nor of food. If Rama is anointed, that will be the very end of my life."

Shloka 60 (ayodhya.9.60)

ततः पुनस्तां महिषीं महीक्षितो वचोभिरत्यर्थमहापराक्रमैः । उवाच कुब्जा भरतस्य मातरं हितं वचो राममुपेत्य चाहितम् ॥ 9.60 ॥

tataḥ punastāṃ mahiṣīṃ mahīkṣito vacobhiratyarthamahāparākramaiḥ | uvāca kubjā bharatasya mātaraṃ hitaṃ vaco rāmamupetya cāhitam

Then once more the hunchback spoke to that queen, the king's chief consort, mother of Bharata, using words of the utmost forceful power — words meant for her good, but for harm where Rama was concerned.

Shloka 61 (ayodhya.9.61)

प्रपत्स्यते राज्यमिदं हि राघवो यदि ध्रुवं त्वं ससुता च तप्स्यसे । ततो हि कल्याणि यतस्व तत् तथा यथा सुतस्ते भरतोऽभिषेक्ष्यते ॥ 9.61 ॥

prapatsyate rājyamidaṃ hi rāghavo yadi dhruvaṃ tvaṃ sasutā ca tapsyase | tato hi kalyāṇi yatasva tat tathā yathā sutaste bharato'bhiṣekṣyate

"If Raghava obtains this kingdom, you and your son will surely suffer for it. So, gracious lady, strive with all your might to see that your son Bharata is the one anointed."

Shloka 62 (ayodhya.9.62)

तथातिविद्धा महिषीति कुब्जया समाहता वागिषुभिर्मुहुर्मुहुः । विधाय हस्तौ हृदयेऽतिविस्मिता शशंस कुब्जां कुपिता पुनः पुनः ॥ 9.62 ॥

tathātividdhā mahiṣīti kubjayā samāhatā vāgiṣubhirmuhurmuhuḥ | vidhāya hastau hṛdaye'tivismitā śaśaṃsa kubjāṃ kupitā punaḥ punaḥ

Thus pierced again and again by the hunchback's arrow-like words, the queen, greatly agitated, pressed her hands upon her own heart, and though inwardly angered, praised the hunchback again and again.

Shloka 63 (ayodhya.9.63)

यमस्य वा मां विषयं गतामितो निशम्य कुब्जे प्रतिवेदयिष्यसि । वनं गते वा सुचिराय राघवे समृद्धकामो भरतो भविष्यति ॥ 9.63 ॥

yamasya vā māṃ viṣayaṃ gatāmito niśamya kubje prativedayiṣyasi | vanaṃ gate vā sucirāya rāghave samṛddhakāmo bharato bhaviṣyati

"Either, hunchback, you shall learn that I have gone hence into the realm of Death, and report it so — or, with Raghava gone to the forest for a long time, Bharata shall have every desire of his fulfilled."

Shloka 64 (ayodhya.9.64)

अहं हि नैवास्तरणानि न स्रजो न चन्दनं नाञ्जनपानभोजनम् । न किंचिदिच्छामि न चेह जीवनं न चेदितो गच्छति राघवो वनम् ॥ 9.64 ॥

ahaṃ hi naivāstaraṇāni na srajo na candanaṃ nāñjanapānabhojanam | na kiṃcidicchāmi na ceha jīvanaṃ na cedito gacchati rāghavo vanam

"I want no bedding, no garlands, no sandal-paste, no cosmetics, no drink, no food — I want nothing at all, not even life itself, unless Raghava goes from here to the forest."

Shloka 65 (ayodhya.9.65)

अथैवमुक्त्वा वचनं सुदारुणं निधाय सर्वाभरणानि भामिनी । असंस्कृतामास्तरणेन मेदिनीं तदाधिशिश्ये पतितेव किंनरी ॥ 9.65 ॥

athaivamuktvā vacanaṃ sudāruṇaṃ nidhāya sarvābharaṇāni bhāminī | asaṃskṛtāmāstaraṇena medinīṃ tadādhiśiśye patiteva kiṃnarī

Having spoken these harsh words, that proud woman then laid aside all her ornaments, and lay down upon the bare, uncovered ground, like a kinnari fallen from the sky.

Shloka 66 (ayodhya.9.66)

उदीर्णसंरम्भतमोवृतानना तदावमुक्तोत्तममाल्यभूषणा । नरेन्द्रपत्नी विमना बभूव सा तमोवृता द्यौरिव मग्नतारका ॥ 9.66 ॥

udīrṇasaṃrambhatamovṛtānanā tadāvamuktottamamālyabhūṣaṇā | narendrapatnī vimanā babhūva sā tamovṛtā dyauriva magnatārakā

Her face darkened with the shadow of surging fury, her fine garlands and ornaments now cast aside, the king's queen sat there disconsolate, like a sky wrapped in darkness with its stars all sunk from sight.