Page 19 - Bhakthinivedana-English-January-2022-Magazine.pmd
P. 19
from the king. Among the many servants that Kaike:yi
had, there was a hunch back named Mantthara.
She had come to Ayo:dhya from Kaike:yi’s paternal
home. Mantthara’s origins were not known. She was
a destitute with a deformed body, yet very loyal and
affectionate towards Kaike:yi. Perhaps, all these made
her a favourite of Kaike:yi. The queen would share
her experiences and feelings with Mantthara and in
turn, Mantthara would always think of welfare of her
queen. A great intimacy developed between the two.
Kaike:yi’s motherly love for
Rama
Dasarattha decided to coronate Rama as the
crown prince after consulting Vasishtta, the ministers,
and the people. The coronation was to happen the
very next day and the city of Ayo:dhya was in festive
mood.
Mantthara ascended to the terrace of the palace
and was surprised to see the way city was being
decorated. Wrath erupted in her heart when she heard
that the arrangements were for Rama's coronation.
Quickly she descended the palace and went straight
to Kaike:yi. She spoke in anger, “Wake up Kaike:yi !
Kaike:yi and Mantthara A great distress is about to surround and submerge
you. The affection that the king displays towards you
Amongst the three queens of king Dasarattha,
Kaike:yi was his most favourite. She was strong and is false. Your fortunes are departing from you.” When
Kaike:yi probed further, Mantthara fumed thus “
courageous. She accompanied him to the battlefield The king is about to appoint Rama as crown prince.
against Sambara. Her heroic actions saved him when Realise that this would forever prevent Bharatha
he had become unconscious during the battle. He was from becoming a king. Your co-wife Kausalya would
pleased with her and granted two boons which she become all powerful and you would be reduced to
said she would claim later.
nothing.”
Rama was born to queen Kausalya, Bharatha to
Despite Mantthara’s words of anger, Kaike:yi’s
queen Kaike:yi and Lakshmana and Sathrughna were heart was filled with joy at the prospect of Rama’s
born to queen Sumithra. Although Bharatha was coronation. She said,
Kaike:yi's son, she loved the other three children as
well, especially Rama. She often spoke highly of Rama ra:me: va: bharathe: va:ham vise:sham
to Dasarattha often. no:palakshaye: |
The beautiful Kaike:yi resided in a heavenly thasmaththushta:smi yadra:ja: ra:mam
palace, proud of the special attention she received ra:jye:bhipe:kshyathi ||
Jan 2022 Bhakthi Nivedana 19
