Manthara Faces Satrughna's Wrath Over Exile

Satrughna's rage against Manthara, the servant behind Rama's exile, is tempered by Bharata's wisdom. Family loyalty clashes with righteous anger in this Ramayana episode. 

Satrughna's Anger Towards Manthara (Shlokas 2.78.1 - 2.78.4)

As the grief-stricken Bharata (Rama's brother) prepared to journey to Rama, Satrughna (Lakshmana's younger brother) spoke these words to him:

"Couldn't Rama protect himself from his own distress? That mighty Rama has been exiled to the forest by a woman.

And why didn't the strong and powerful Lakshmana (another brother of Rama) release Rama from exile by restraining our father? The king should have first considered what was just or unjust before acting under a woman's influence."

Manthara's Appearance (Shlokas 2.78.5 - 2.78.7)

While Satrughna was speaking, the hunchback Manthara (a servant) arrived at the entrance, adorned with various ornaments:

• She was besmeared with sandalwood paste

• Wearing royal garments

• Decorated with different kinds of jewels

• Adorned with colorful girdle strings

Manthara Seized (Shlokas 2.78.8 - 2.78.15)

The gatekeepers, seeing this woman, seized her and informed Satrughna:

"Here is the woman on whose account Rama is in the forest and your father has forsaken his body. Do with her as you please."

Deeply grieved and steadfast in his vows, Satrughna addressed the inmates of the inner apartment:

"Let this woman, who caused intense sorrow to our brothers and father, reap the fruit of her actions."

Saying this, he forcibly caught hold of Manthara amidst her companions, filling the house with her cries. Seeing Satrughna's rage, all of Manthara's companions fled in terror, saying to each other:

"The way he has begun, it looks like he will finish all of us. Let us seek refuge under the illustrious Kausalya (Rama's mother), who is compassionate, generous, and knowledgeable in righteousness. She is our only savior."

Satrughna's Fury (Shlokas 2.78.16 - 2.78.18)

With bloodshot eyes, Satrughna dragged the shrieking Manthara across the ground in fury. As he did so, her ornaments of various colors and kinds scattered across the floor of the royal palace.

The royal palace, covered with these ornaments, shone brightly.

Bharata's Intervention (Shlokas 2.78.19 - 2.78.23)

Next, Satrughna seized Manthara forcefully out of fury. He then spoke harsh words to Kaikeyi (Bharata's mother).

Deeply distressed by these words, Kaikeyi became afraid of Satrughna and sought her son Bharata's protection.

Seeing the enraged Satrughna, Bharata said:

"Women should not be killed in any circumstances. Pardon her.

If the righteous Rama would not accuse me of slaying a mother, I would have killed the sinful Kaikeyi myself for her wicked deeds.

If Rama learns that we have slain this hunchback, he will certainly never speak to either of us again."

Satrughna Relents (Shlokas 2.78.24 - 2.78.26)

Upon hearing Bharata's words, Satrughna controlled his anger and released Manthara. She fell at Kaikeyi's feet, overwhelmed with grief, heaving deep sighs and lamenting pitifully.

Kaikeyi saw Manthara lying senseless, thrown down by Satrughna. Manthara looked around in anguish, like a female krauncha (a type of bird) caught in a net. Seeing this, Kaikeyi gently comforted her.

This concludes the Seventy Eighth chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.