Sarga 9

एवमुक्ता तु कैकेयी क्रोधेन ज्वलितानना। दीर्घमुष्णं विनिश्वस्य मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत्।।2.9.1।।

Thus spoken to, Kaikeyi, her face burning with anger, breathed a deep, hot sigh and said these words...

अद्य राममितः क्षिप्रं वनं प्रस्थापयाम्यहम्। यौवराज्ये च भरतं क्षिप्रमेवाभिषेचये।।2.9.2।।

Today I shall at once banish Rama from here into the forest and get Bharata coronated as heirapparen...

इदं त्विदानीं सम्पश्य केनोपायेन मन्थरे। भरतः प्राप्नुयाद्राज्यं न तु रामः कथञ्चन।।2.9.3।।

O Manthara now see, for sure, Bharata and not Rama will get the kingdom by any means.

एवमुक्ता तया देव्या मन्थरा पापदर्शिनी। रामार्थमुपहिंसन्ती कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत्।।2.9.4।।

Thus addressed by queen Kaikeyi, that evil minded Manthara said this to Kaikeyi in order to spoil t...

हन्तेदानीं प्रवक्ष्यामि कैकेयि श्रूयतां च मे। यथा ते भरतो राज्यं पुत्रः प्राप्स्यति केवलम्।।2.9.5।।

O Kaikeyi, what a joy I shall now tell you how your son Bharata alone will secure the kingdom. Liste...

किं न स्मरसि कैकेयि स्मरन्ती वा निगूहसे। यदुच्यमानमात्मार्थं मत्तस्त्वं श्रोतुमिच्छसि।।2.9.6।।

O Kaikeyi, don't you remember in your own interest what I'm going to tell you or are you hiding it, ...

मयोच्यमानं यदि ते श्रोतुं छन्दो विलासिनि। श्रूयतामभिधास्यामि श्रुत्वा चापि विमृश्यताम्।।2.9.7।।

O lovely Kaikeyi if it pleases you to hear from me, I shall tell you. Listen and think over it, too.

श्रुत्वैवं वचनं तस्या मन्थरायास्तु कैकेयी। किञ्चिदुत्थाय शयनात्स्वास्तीर्णादिदमब्रवीत्।।2.9.8।।

After hearing Manthara's words, Kaikeyi got up a little from her wellspread bed and said this:

कथय त्वं ममोपायं केनोपायेन मन्थरे। भरतः प्राप्नुयाद्राज्यं न तु रामः कथञ्चन।।2.9.9।।

O Manthara, tell me the means by which Bharata and not Rama will secure the kingdom in any circumsta...

एवमुक्ता तया देव्या मन्थरा पापदर्शिनी। रामार्थमुपहिंसन्ती कुब्जा वचनमब्रवीत्।।2.9.10।।

Thus addressed by the queen (Kaikeyi), the evileyed hunchback, Manthara, said with the intention to ...

तव दैवासुरे युद्धे सह राजर्षिभिः पतिः। अगच्छत्त्वामुपादाय देवराजस्य साह्यकृत्।।2.9.11।। दिशमास्थाय व...

O queen during the war between gods and asuras, your husband went with royal saints intending to ren...

तव दैवासुरे युद्धे सह राजर्षिभिः पतिः। अगच्छत्त्वामुपादाय देवराजस्य साह्यकृत्।।2.9.11।। दिशमास्थाय व...

O queen during the war between gods and asuras, your husband went with royal saints intending to ren...

स शम्बर इति ख्यातश्शतमायो महासुरः। ददौ शक्रस्य सङ्ग्रामं देवसङ्घैरनिर्जितः।।2.9.13।।

That mighty asura wellknown as Sambara, capable of a hundred deceitful forms, challenged Indra to a ...

तस्मिन्महति सङ्ग्रामे पुरुषान्क्षतविक्षतान्। रात्रौ प्रसुप्तान्घ्नन्ति स्म तरसाऽऽसाद्य राक्षसाः।।2.9...

In that great battle, the rakshasas used to kill by force the warriors wounded by the weapons and th...

तत्राकरोन्महद्युद्धं राजा दशरथस्तदा। असुरैश्च महाबाहुश्शस्त्रैश्च शकलीकृतः।।2.9.15।।

There in that great battle the mightyarmed king Dasaratha lay wounded with weapons (used) by the asu...

अपवाह्य त्वया देवि सङ्ग्रामान्नष्टचेतनः। तत्रापि विक्षतश्शस्त्रैः पतिस्ते रक्षितस्त्वया।।2.9.16।।

O queen you had protected your husband by carrying him away from the battlefield when he lost his co...

तुष्टेन तेन दत्तौ ते द्वौ वरौ शुभदर्शने। स त्वयोक्तः पतिर्देवि यदेच्छेयं तदा वरौ।।2.9.17।। गृह्णीया...

O auspiciouslooking one out of gratitude he had granted two boons to you (for saving him on two occa...

अनभिज्ञाम्ह्यहं देवि त्वयैव कथिता पुरा।।2.9.18।। कथैषा तव तु स्नेहान्मनसा धार्यते मया। रामाभिषेकसम्भ...

O queen I did not know this indeed. Only you had related it to me earlier. Because of my affection t...

अनभिज्ञाम्ह्यहं देवि त्वयैव कथिता पुरा।।2.9.18।। कथैषा तव तु स्नेहान्मनसा धार्यते मया। रामाभिषेकसम्भ...

O queen I did not know this indeed. Only you had related it to me earlier. Because of my affection t...

तौ वरौ याच भर्तारं भरतस्याभिषेचनम्। प्रव्राजनं च रामस्य त्वं वर्षाणि चतुर्दश।।2.9.20।।

Ask your husband for those two boons namely consecration of Bharata and banishment of Rama for four...

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि रामे प्रव्राजिते वनम्। प्रजाभावगतस्नेहस्स्थिरः पुत्रो भविष्यति।।2.9.21।।

If Rama is banished into the forest for fourteen years your son will be firmly established in the ki...

क्रोधागारं प्रविश्याऽद्य क्रुद्धेवाश्वपतेस्सुते। शेष्वाऽनन्तर्हितायां त्वं भूमौ मलिनवासिनी।।2.9.22।।

O Kaikeyi ,daughter of Ashwapati enter now the chamber of wrath like one in angry mood, wearing soil...

मास्मैनं प्रत्युदीक्षेथा मा चैनमभिभाषथाः। रुदन्ती चापि तं दृष्ट्वा जगत्यां शोकलालसा।।2.9.23।।

Immersed in grief and in tears, neither look at him (Dasaratha) nor even talk to him when you see hi...

दयिता त्वं सदा भर्तुरत्र मे नास्ति संशयः। त्वत्कृते स महाराजो विशेदपि हुताशनम्।।2.9.24।।

No doubt, you have always been a beloved wife to your husband. For your sake the great king will eve...

न त्वां क्रोधयितुं शक्तो न क्रृद्धां प्रत्युदीक्षितुम्। तव प्रियार्थं राजा हि प्राणानपि परित्यजेत्।।...

The king is afraid of inciting your ire. When you are angry, he dare not look at your indignant coun...

न ह्यतिक्रमितुं शक्तस्तव वाक्यं महीपतिः। मन्दस्वभावे बुध्यस्व सौभाग्यबलमात्मनः।।2.9.26।।

The king would not dare transgress your words. O wicked woman, recognise the power of your beauty.

मणिमुक्तं सुवर्णानि रत्नानि विविधानि च। दद्याद्दशरथो राजा मास्म तेषु मनः कृथाः।।2.9.27।।

King Dasaratha may give you gems, pearls, gold and different kinds of precious stones. Do not pay th...

यौ तौ दैवासुरे युद्धे वरौ दशरथोऽददात्। तौ स्मारय महाभागे सोऽर्थो न त्वामतिक्रमेत्।।2.9.28।।

O fortunate Kaikeyi, make him recollect the two boons he had granted you in the war between gods and...

यदातु ते वरं दद्यात्स्वयमुत्थाप्य राघवः। व्यवस्थाप्य महाराजं त्वमिमं वृणुया वरम्।।2.9.29।।

When Dasaratha personally lifts you from the floor and asks you what you want you may make him se...

रामं प्रव्राजयारण्ये नव वर्षाणि पञ्च च। भरतः क्रियतां राजा पृथिव्याः पार्थिवर्षभः।।2.9.30।।

'O best of kings exile Rama into the forest for fourteen years and make Bharata king of the land'.

चतुर्दश हि वर्षाणि रामे प्रव्राजिते वनम्। रूढश्च कृतमूलश्च शेषं स्थास्यति ते सुतः।।2.9.31।।

After Rama has been exiled into the forest for fourteen years your son grown strong and deeprooted w...

रामप्रव्राजनं चैव देवि याचस्व तं वरम्। एवं सिद्ध्यन्ति पुत्रस्य सर्वार्थास्तव भामिनि।।2.9.32।।

O Devi demand Rama's exile as a boon. O lovely queen this way all the interests of your son will be ...

एवं प्रव्राजितश्चैव रामोऽरामो भविष्यति। भरतश्च हतामित्रस्तव राजा भविष्यति।।2.9.33।।

Thus, if Rama is exiled he will no longer be Rama (be able to cause delight to the people). Bharata ...

येन कालेन रामश्च वनात्प्रत्यागमिष्यति। तेन कालेन पुत्रस्ते कृतमूलो भविष्यति।।2.9.34।। सुगृहीतमनुष्यश...

By the time Rama returns from the forest, your son (now) confident, would have become deep rooted by...

प्राप्तकालं नु मन्येऽहं राजानं वीतसाध्वसा।।2.9.35।। रामाभिषेकसङ्कल्पान्निगृह्य विनिवर्तय।

I think the proper time has come (to ask for the boons). Without fear refrain the king forcibly from...

अनर्थमर्थरूपेण ग्राहिता सा ततस्तया।।2.9.36।। हृष्टा प्रतीता कैकेयी मन्थरामिदमब्रवीत्।

Thus, having been made to accept the evil design as a beneficial objective, Kaikeyi understood (the...

सा हि वाक्येन कुब्जायाः किशोरीवोत्पथं गता।।2.9.37।। कैकेयी विस्मयं प्राप्ता परं परमदर्शना।

That Kaikeyi, even though endowed with sound foresight, expressed her sense of wonder at the words o...

कुब्जे त्वां नाभिजानामि श्रेष्ठां श्रेष्ठाभिथायिनीम्।।2.9.38।। पृथिव्यामसि कुब्जानामुत्तमा बुद्धिनिश...

(She said) O hunchback, I never knew that you can speak such excellent words or decide things intel...

त्वमेव तु ममाऽर्थेषु नित्ययुक्ता हितैषिणी।।2.9.39।। नाहं समवबुध्येयं कुब्जे राज्ञश्चिकीर्षितम्।

O hunchback you alone always show interest in my affairs and seek my welfare. I might not have known...

सन्ति दुस्संस्थिताः कुब्जा वक्राः परमदारुणाः।।2.9.40।। त्वं पद्ममिव वातेन सन्नता प्रियदर्शना। त्वं प...

There are many hunchbacks in this world, terribly ugly with their bodies misshaped and crooked. But ...

उरस्तेऽभिनिविष्टं वै यावत्स्कन्धात् समुन्नतं।।2.9.41।। अधस्ताच्चोदरं शातं सुनाभमिव लज्जितम्।

Your breasts are thick and are as high as your shoulders. Beneath them lies your belly with its beau...

परिपूर्णं तु जघनं सुपीनौ च पयोधरौ।।2.9.42।। विमलेन्दुसमं वक्त्रमहोराजसि मन्थरे।

You have full hips, round and plump breasts. Your countenance equals the bright moon. How passionate...

जघनं तव निर्घुष्टं रशनादामशोभितम्।।2.9.43।। जङ्घे भृशमुपन्यस्ते पादौ चाप्यायतावुभौ।

Your hips, glitter with the jingling girdle. Strong are the calfs of your legs and long are your fe...

त्वमायताभ्यां सक्थिभ्यां मन्थरे क्षौमवासिनी।।2.9.44।। अग्रतो मम गच्छन्ती राजहंसीव राजसे।

O Manthara when clad in silk garment you walk in front of me with your heavy thighs, you look like a...

आसन्याश्शम्बरे मायास्सहस्रमसुराधिपे।।2.9.45।। सर्वास्त्वयि निविष्टास्ता भूयश्चान्यास्सहस्रशः।

In you reside a thousand deceitful means more than all the thousand mayas (tricks) of Sambara, king ...

तवेदं स्थगु यद्दीर्घं रथघोणमिवायतम्।।2.9.46।। मतयः क्षत्रविद्याश्च मायाश्चात्र वसन्ति ते।

Your clever thoughts, magic powers and also the skills of kshatriyas are stored in your huge hump wh...

अत्र ते प्रतिमोक्ष्यामि मालां कुब्जे हिरण्मयीम्।।2.9.47।। अभिषिक्ते च भरते राघवे च वनं गते।

O hunchback, with Rama gone to the forest and Bharata consecrated, I shall drape this hump with a go...

जात्येन च सुवर्णेन सुनिष्टप्तेन मन्थरे।।2.9.48।। लब्धार्था च प्रतीता च लेपयिष्यामि ते स्थगु।

O Manthara, when my objective is accomplished and I am fully satisfied, I will smear your hump with ...

मुखे च तिलकं चित्रं जातरूपमयं शुभम्।।2.9.49।। कारयिष्यामि ते कुब्जे शुभान्याभरणानि च।

O Manthara, I shall get a tilaka made of gold for your auspicious, lovely face and shall also order ...

परिधाय शुभे वस्त्रे देवतेव चरिष्यसि।।2.9.50।। चन्द्रमाह्वयमानेन मुखेनाप्रतिमानना। गमिष्यसि गतिं मुख्...

You shall move about wearing lovely garments like a goddess. With a peerless countenance, as if chal...

परिधाय शुभे वस्त्रे देवतेव चरिष्यसि।।2.9.50।। चन्द्रमाह्वयमानेन मुखेनाप्रतिमानना। गमिष्यसि गतिं मुख्...

You shall move about wearing lovely garments like a goddess. With a peerless countenance, as if chal...

तवापि कुब्जाः कुब्जायास्सर्वाभरणभूषिताः। पादौ परिचरिष्यन्ति यथैव त्वं सदा मम।।2.9.52।।

Other hunchbacks adorned with all sorts of ornament shall also serve you in the same manner as you a...

इति प्रशस्यमाना सा कैकेयीमिदमब्रवीत्। शयानां शयने शुभ्रे वेद्यामग्निशिखामिव।।2.9.53।।

Flattered in this manner, Manthara addressed Kaikeyi who was lying on a white couch and looking like...

गतोदके सेतुबन्धो न कल्याणि विधीयते। उत्तिष्ठ कुरु कल्याणि राजानमनुदर्शय।।2.9.54।।

O fortunate one construction of a dike is not undertaken after the water has flowed down. Act before...

तथा प्रोत्साहिता देवी गत्वा मन्थरया सह। क्रोधागारं विशालाक्षी सौभाग्यमदगर्विता।।2.9.55।। अनेकशतसाहस्...

That beautiful, largeeyed Kaikeyi, puffed with the pride of her intoxicating beauty, encourged and i...

तथा प्रोत्साहिता देवी गत्वा मन्थरया सह। क्रोधागारं विशालाक्षी सौभाग्यमदगर्विता।।2.9.55।। अनेकशतसाहस्...

That beautiful, largeeyed Kaikeyi, puffed with the pride of her intoxicating beauty, encourged and i...

तथा प्रोत्साहिता देवी गत्वा मन्थरया सह। क्रोधागारं विशालाक्षी सौभाग्यमदगर्विता।।2.9.55।। अनेकशतसाहस्...

That beautiful, largeeyed Kaikeyi, puffed with the pride of her intoxicating beauty, encourged and i...

इह वा मां मृतां कुब्जे नृपायावेदयिष्यसि। वनं तु राघवे प्राप्ते भरतः प्राप्स्यति क्षितिम्।।2.9.58।।

O hunchback, tell the king, either Bharata shall secure the kingdom on Rama's departure to the fores...

न सुवर्णेन मे ह्यर्थो न रत्नैर्न च भूषणैः। एष मे जीवितस्यान्तो रामो यद्यभिषिच्यते।।2.9.59।।

I do not aspire for gold, nor gems nor ornaments. If Rama is installed, that will be the end of my l...

अथो पुनस्तां महिषीं महीक्षितो वचोभिरत्यर्थमहापराक्रमैः। उवाच कुब्जा भरतस्य मातरं हितं वचो राममुपेत्य...

Addressing queen Kaikeyi, the mother of Bharata, with extremely powerful words, that hunchback again...

प्रपत्स्यते राज्यमिदं हि राघवो यदि ध्रुवं त्वं ससुता च तप्स्यसे। अतो हि कल्याणि यतस्व तत्तथा यथा सुत...

It is true that if Rama secures this kingdom, you along with your son are bound to suffer. O auspici...

तथाऽतिविद्धा महिषी तु कुब्जया समाहता वागिषुभिर्मुहुर्मुहुः। निधायहस्तौ हृदयेऽतिविस्मिता शशंस कुब्जां...

Repeatedly struck down by that hunchback's arrowsharp words greatly grieved queen Kaikeyi was inflam...

यमस्य वा मां विषयं गतामितो निशाम्य कुब्जे प्रतिवेदयिष्यसि। वनं गते वा सुचिराय राघवे समृद्धकामो भरतो ...

Tell the king that he will see either the fulfilment of Bharata's desire after Rama is banished into...

अहं हि नैवास्तरणानि न स्रजो न चन्दनं नाञ्जनपानभोजनम्। न किञ्चिदिच्छामि न चेह जीवितं न चेदितो गच्छति ...

If Rama does not go from here to the forest, I want neither a bed nor garlands nor sandalpaste nor u...

अथैतदुक्त्वा वचनं सुदारुणं निधाय सर्वाभरणानि भामिनी। असंवृतामास्तरणेन मेदिनीं तदाऽधिशिश्ये पतितेव कि...

Saying these ruthless words, that lovely Kaikeyi cast off all her ornaments like a fallen 'kinnara'...

उदीर्णसंरम्भतमोवृतानना तथाऽवमुक्तोत्तममाल्यभूषणा। नरेन्द्रपत्नी विमना बभूव सा तमोवृता द्यौरिव मग्नता...

Thus queen Kaikeyi's face enveloped by the darkness of violent anger and her body stripped of all va...