Being simple, amiable and pious, how could the king understand the nature of a woman? What king creature is there in the world to whom Raghunatha is not dear as its own life?

Yet even that Rama appeared to you as a deadly enemy! What are you? Tell me the truth. (Are you not an ogress disguised as a woman?) Well, what you are, you are! Up, then, with your face blackened with ink and get out of my sight!

God has created me out of a womb hostile to Rama; then who so sinful a wretch as I? But it is useless for me to say anything to you!’

When Shatrughna heard of his mother’s wickedness, he burned all over with rage, but could do nothing. Just at that moment the hunchback (Manthara) appeared, clad in a variety of rich costumes and adorned with many jewels.

The very sight of that woman (so richly dressed up) filled Lakshmana’s younger brother with anger, as though an offering of melted butter had been poured on to a blazing fire. He sprang forward and kicked her with such a steady aim at the hump that she fell flat on her face with a shriek.

Her hump was smashed, and her skull fractured, her teeth were broken and blood steamed from her mouth. ‘Ah! my God!’ she cried. ‘What harm have I done? Surely this is an ill recompense for all my services!’

Hearing this and deeming her wicked from head to foot, Shatrughna seized her topknot and began to drag her about till the merciful Bharata rescued her. The two brothers then called on Kausalya.