Manthara was a close companion and maid to Queen Kaikeyi. Manthara came with Kaikeyi at the time of marriage. Manthara did not like the idea that the coronation of Rama should take place when Bharata and Shatrughna were away at Kekaya. She felt that it was done on purpose. She wanted Kaikeyi to be the Queen Mother.
Thinking so, she went to give Kaikeyi the news. Kaikeyi was delighted to hear it and gifted Manthara with a necklace. Manthara said flinging it away, “You are foolish. You cannot see through the cleverness of Kaushalya. She will become more important than you if her son becomes the Crown-Prince. And you will be nothing more than a maid to her!” At first, Kaikeyi was very angry with Manthara. But gradually, she began to weaken as Manthara went on and on. “Your son will be an ordinary citizen of Ayodhya. Why has this decision been taken when Bharata has been away to Kekaya?” said the wily Manthara.
Kaikeyi certainly loved Rama, but Manthara’s diplomacy deluded her intellect. She pondered, ‘Manthara is right. Why can’t Bharata in place of Rama be appointed Crown-Prince?’ Thereafter, Manthra the witty left no stone unturned to poison Kaikeyi’s ears.
