The Coronation Plans and Manthara

Time passed. King Dashrath was growing old. Bharat and Shatrughna had gone to visit their grandfather in the kingdom of Kekaya. Dashrath decided it was time to make Ram the Yuvraj. Ram was loved by all the people: brave, kind, fair and the gentlest of speakers.

The king called his court. As soon as he proposed Ram's coronation, the whole assembly agreed with one voice. Guru Vasishtha fixed the very next day, under the Pushya star, for the ceremony. All night Ayodhya was decorated. Lamps were lit in every home, flowers were spread in the streets, and people danced with joy.

But Queen Kaikeyi had a maid named Manthara. Her back was bent, and so was her mind. When she saw the decorated city from the palace roof and learned the reason, she burned with envy. She went straight to Kaikeyi and said, ‘My queen, you are asleep while danger stands over your head!’

At first Kaikeyi was overjoyed by the news. She gave Manthara her own necklace as a reward and said, ‘Ram is as dear to me as Bharat.’ But Manthara did not give up. She said that if Ram became king, Kaushalya would become queen mother, and Kaikeyi and Bharat would be reduced to servants.

Manthara kept pouring poison into her ears. Slowly Kaikeyi's heart changed. Then Manthara reminded her: ‘Years ago in battle you saved the king's life, and he promised you two boons. Now is the time to ask for them.’ A terrible plan took shape in Kaikeyi's mind.