Mandhara, though having received a response marked with great dignity from Kaikeyi, found herself unsatisfied. Her malevolent thoughts churned, driving her to execute her plan to disrupt Rama’s crowning ceremony. Overcome with rage, she disregarded the bonds of loyalty between the queen and her maids, even shattering a precious ornament gifted to her. “O Kaikeyi! Your foolishness is appalling. You tread ignorantly in a sea of sorrow, blind to the perils at hand. You mistakenly revel in this dire circumstance as though it were a gift. How can you find joy amidst your own ruin? O Queen, drunk with ignorance, you celebrate what should be mourned. I reveal this to you: does any woman celebrate the rise of an enemy? Such folly is nothing short of suicidal. Bharata has equal claim to the throne, and Rama knows this; it troubles him, and he fears Bharata. This thought weighs on me, for our woes come from those who fear us.
Rama, the peerless archer, commands Lakshmana’s unwavering loyalty, while Bharata has the obedience of Shatrughna. By birth order, Shatrughna stands as Rama’s heir; yet, both brothers are younger and have no true claim. Rama, wise and skilled in statecraft, claims power with careful precision. I tremble at the danger his ambition poses to your son. Soon, Kausalya will be empowered, as distinguished Brahmins prepare the final rites of the coronation. Once Rama is crowned, she will assume unparalleled power, subjugating you, and you will find yourself no more than a servant, with your son under Rama’s shadow. Sita, Rama’s consort, will bask in splendour, while your daughter-in-law will fall to a lesser place.
Mandhara, unrelenting, whispered of the ominous fate awaiting Kaikeyi and Bharata. Kaikeyi, though shaken, defended Rama: “He embodies virtue, educated by noble teachers, and true to his values. His record is unblemished, and he is the eldest son, rightful heir, and of matchless merit. The king’s wisdom in this choice speaks to his farsightedness. Long live Rama, protector of his brothers, their wives, and all who depend on him.
“Mandhara, you speak as though crippled in mind as well as body. How can Rama’s rise bring misery? Are you an enemy of the Ikshvaku dynasty? Bharata’s day will come, in time, as has been the custom for a century. He will learn the subtleties of rule and become a just king, without doubt. Bharata and Rama are as dear to me as life itself; in my heart, there is no line dividing them. Rama’s coronation will only uplift Bharata. Never has Rama shown any partiality; he treasures his brothers as extensions of himself.”
Mandhara sighed deeply. “Your naivety blinds you. The moment Rama is crowned, only his lineage will hold power, and Bharata will be cast aside. Not all sons of kings can rule; to crown all would invite chaos. It is for this reason that kings favour the eldest or most worthy heir. Do not, O Queen, abandon your son’s path to the throne. He who stands in the way of his brother’s prosperity risks everything.
“Rama will, for the sake of unity, banish or remove Bharata, seeing him as a rival. Raised in your brother’s home, Bharata lacks the vigilance needed to secure his place. The king’s affection for him is faint, shaped by distance. Shatrughna, too, is powerless, his loyalty bound to Bharata alone. Were he here, he might shield Bharata, but they are both alone. Rama and Lakshmana are as gods, guarding each other fiercely. Lakshmana fears no threat; Bharata, however, stands unprotected. The wise will see, better for Bharata to find safety far away, deep in the forest, rather than fall to Rama’s strategy. If he were to be crowned by the king’s grace, your household would remain unbroken.
“Bharata, raised in luxury, a jewel among men, is Rama’s unknowing rival. If he cannot hold his own, what hope does he have against Rama’s might? Just as a lion ousts the king elephant, so will Rama displace Bharata. Do you not see? In your days of youthful pride, you belittled Kausalya; now, with this great moment, will she not take her vengeance? When Rama holds sway over seasons, rivers, forests, and mountains, you and your son will be cast into obscurity. His reign will herald your downfall.”
Even the strongest mind succumbs to doubt and fear when seeded by jealousy. Mandhara’s cunning words seemed poised to reshape destiny itself. Her craft, steeped in deceit and ambition, displayed how even the lowly could wield great influence through manipulation. Thus unfolds a tale of schemes and selfish intent, a prelude to the grand fate that would lead to the ruin of Ravana and the triumph of dharma.