A victim of vices

By Jaya Srinivasan

The human mind falls an easy prey to the pulls of vices such as jealousy or anger that bring down a person's moral worth in no time. When Manthara, the hunchbacked nursemaid of Kaikeyi, tempted her with the attractive prospect of her becoming the queen mother only if Bharata ascended the throne, Kaikeyi's spontaneous response reflects her basic noble nature.Such an idea had never crossed her mind at any point of time prior to Manthara raising the issue.

In fact, Kaikeyi was delighted about the coronation preparations that were in the offing for Rama. We see in Kaikeyi not only a mother's innocent and unalloyed love for her son, but also a remarkable perception of truth in her assessment of Rama. She confesses that she considers Rama as her own son. Rama is as dear as Bharata, if not even more. She finds great pride in the way Rama serves her — on a par with the way He serves Kausalya.

Rama's penchant for Truth is unparalleled. As the eldest son of Dasaratha is He not the rightful heir? If Rama has the kingdom, then it is equal to Bharata having it as well.

Kaikeyi chides Manthara for her jealous feelings. How can anyone be disappointed when the entire city rejoices at the joyful tidings of Rama's coronation? Manthara highlights the danger for Kaikeyi, if Rama ascends the throne. It would make Kausalya the queen mother and Kaikeyi would lose her edge and must be content to toe the lower rungs in the palace.

Kaikeyi begins to believe Manthara's viewpoint and in a short while, she begins to see eye to eye with her. Her earlier goodness disappears and her only intent now is to send Rama to the forest and win the kingdom for Bharata.

The motive for Manthara's grouse against Rama finds mention in the Azhwar's hymns and in Kamban's. There is a reference to Rama's childhood when He used to shoot mud-balls from his bow and at times He would aim it on the hunchbacked maid. Other sources imply that both Kaikeyi and Manthara were divine agents sent to accelerate the annihilation of Ravana.