Manthara's Turn to Tell the Story

Hi, my name is Manthara and I need to clarify the misunderstanding that people have had against me for many years. No one ever asked for my side of the story and just assumed the worst about me! The palace guards even dragged me across the palace floor for a death sentence without time to explain, but luckily Bharata asked them to spare my life. I always knew I took good care of him growing up. Many have described me in various versions of the Ramayana as the evil, crooked, and old lady that convinced Kaikeyi to banish Rama. They even go as far as calling me short necked, big bellied, and humpbacked. There are rumors rampant around the kingdom that I will be dismissed from the palace now that Rama is home after his exile, but I never did anything wrong. Now it is my turn to tell you the story from my point of view.

There I was, on the roof of the palace enjoying the breeze and beautiful view of the streets as the palace made preparations for Rama’s coronation. I noticed someone on the other side of the roof and moved closer to discover that it was Queen Kaikeyi gazing sorrowfully in the distance. I sympathized with her and told her how I felt it was unfair for her to be loyal to the king all of these years, yet Rama was always the prized child and the only one in Dasharatha’s heart. I felt bad that her son Bharata never stood a chance at becoming king compared to Rama. I consoled Kaikeyi by reminding her that she still had two favors to request from the king because Kaikeyi once saved him and he promised her these favors. I was appalled the next day when I found out that the Queen Kaikeyi had threatened Dasharatha with her own life to banish Rama for fourteen years and place her own son as the king. I was at a loss for words. I had always thought Queen Kaikeyi was a kind soul, but she turned cold. She commanded Rama to leave on the day of his coronation when all of the preparations had been made: streamers and flowers all around the city, a golden throne with tiger skin at the feet, elephants, and even chariot horses. I stood in the corner and watched as she banished Rama while the king wept tears of regret for previously giving Kaikeyi two favors.

As you can see from my story, all I did was give helpful advice to the queen by reminding her that she had two favors left from the king. I never told her what to ask for nor did I tell her to exile Rama for fourteen years! Yes, I admit that I was a little mad from the time that Rama and his obnoxious group of friends made fun of my appearance, so I told him off about respecting those who are older than him and then he out of nowhere attacked me with his toy sword! He left me helpless on the floor until my dear Bharata came to help me up and escort me back to my room to rest. I have held a little grudge since but not enough to want to exile Rama. I have been faithfully taking care of the kingdom for years while nursing Bharata and serving the Queen Kaikeyi. I do not deserve to be kicked out of the palace just because Rama has returned from his exile.

Bibliography. "Ramayana" from Indian Myth and Legend by Donald A. Mackenzie, web source

Author's Note: In the original episode of Manthara and Kaikeyi, Manthara despised Rama because of a past incident where she offended him and he ended up striking her, so Manthara went to Kaikeyi the day before Rama's coronation to tell Kaikeyi to stop it from happening, otherwise Kaikeyi's son, Bharata, would be exiled in the future. Manthara reminded Kaikeyi that she still had two favors to request from the king after she saved the king's life. Kaikeyi demanded that the king banish Rama for fourteen years and make Bharata the king instead. The king felt betrayed because he loved Rama so much but he couldn't break a promise he had already made to Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi also threatened to end her own life if he didn't do as she asked.

I wanted to tell the story from Manthara's point of view because the story makes her out to be a really evil person who convinces the queen to betray the king but Manthara never told Kaikeyi what to ask the king for. She never told the queen to banish Rama for fourteen years. Kaikeyi is the true source of evil who probably already had those thoughts in the back of her mind considering only a little nudge made her come up with those requests from the king in an instant.

Manthara and Kaikeyi: Ramayana