Seeds of Discord: Manthara's Plot

The highly knowledgeable Rishi Vashishth was a Vedic scholar familiar with folk customs. He visited Ram's chamber, and when Ram came out barefoot, he respectfully touched the guru's feet. Ram then respectfully escorted the Maharshi into the room and sought his blessings. 

"Dear Ram, your coronation is tomorrow, so you and Seeta should fast tonight and recite holy mantras," advised Guru Vashishth.

Ram listened carefully to every word the guru said and promised to obey them. Maharshi Vashishth returned to King Dasharath. Ram and Seeta fasted that night according to the guru's command. They also chanted the mantras the rishi taught them.

In the palace, there lived an old hunchbacked maid of Kaikeyi named Manthara, whose thoughts were as polluted as she was ugly. When she learned of Ram's coronation the next day, she ran to Queen Kaikeyi.

"Wake up, foolish woman!" cried Manthara as she entered Kaikeyi's room. "Immense misfortune is heading your way and will destroy everything you possess. The sun is setting on your destiny. Emperor Dasharath has decided to make Ram king in your son Bharat's absence."

Upon hearing the news of Ram's coronation, Kaikeyi was overjoyed. Despite Ram not being born from Kaikeyi's womb, she loved him the most. She took off her necklace and gave it to Manthara as a token of gratitude for being the first to share the good news. However, Manthara callously threw the necklace to the ground.

"Fool!" Manthara yelled at Kaikeyi. "From tomorrow, your son, Bharat, will live the life of a subject and slave. Ram will not let him live. You will become Queen Kaushalya's maidservant."