Should god in his goodness vouchsafe to me a human birth again, may Rama and Sita be my son and daughter-in-law. Rama is dearer to me than my own life; why then should you be troubled at the news of his enthronement? Should god in his goodness vouchsafe to me a human birth again, may Rama and Sita be my son and daughter-in-law. Rama is dearer to me than my own life; why then should you be troubled at the news of his enthronement?

I adjure you I Bharata’s name, speak the truth without any deceit or concealment; declare to me the reason why you should grieve on an occasion of rejoicing.’

‘I have spoken once,’ said Manthara, ‘and I have had all my ambitions fulfilled! I shall now speak again with another tongue. My wretched head surely deserves to be broken, for I have offended you by my well-meant words.

Those alone who make the false seem true, mother, are your favourites, while I am disagreeable to you. Henceforth I too will only say what pleases you or else will hold my peace day and night.

God has given me a deformed body ad made me dependent on others; I must reap as I have sown and take as I have given! Whoever is king, what do I lose? Shall I cease to be a servant now and become a queen?

Damnable is my nature in that I cannot bear to see your disgrace. That is why I gave utterance to a word or two. But pardon me, venerabe lady, it was a great mistake on my part.’ Damnable is my nature in that I cannot bear to see your disgrace. That is why I gave utterance to a word or two. But pardon me, venerabe lady, it was a great mistake on my part.’

On hearing these subtle and agreeably deceitful words, the queen, who was a woman with a weak mind and was dominated by divine delusion, reposed her faith in an enemy, mistaking her for a friend. On hearing these subtle and agreeably deceitful words, the queen, who was a woman with a weak mind and was dominated by divine delusion, reposed her faith in an enemy, mistaking her for a friend.