Manthara

Ayodhya prepared to crown Rama, but Manthara saw danger for Bharata. She went to Kaikeyi and found the queen in distress. In The Ramayana, Manthara stroked Kaikeyi's hair and wiped her tears before telling her that the situation was not lost. She warned that Rama's coronation would leave Bharata without the kingdom and that Kaikeyi should act before the ceremony.

Manthara continued speaking, and Kaikeyi's anger grew. In the Ramayana, abridged translation by Arshia Sattar, Manthara told Kaikeyi to think about Rama inheriting the earth and Bharata losing his chance. Kaikeyi became angry as Manthara finished, and then said that she would see to it. The servant had changed concern into a decision.

Manthara's next move was exact. She told Kaikeyi not to accept pearls or other gifts from Dasharatha. Kaikeyi had saved the king during the war between the gods and the asuras, and he had promised two boons. Manthara reminded her to keep those promises in reserve for this moment. One boon should banish Rama into the forest for fourteen years. The other should make Bharata king.

Manthara sent Kaikeyi to the anger room so that Dasharatha would find her refusing his comfort. The plan depended on Kaikeyi invoking the two boons and Dasharatha's promise to grant them. Earlier, Kaikeyi had laughed when Dasharatha survived a battle and said that his life was enough, but Manthara turned that old promise into a weapon. The episode closes with Kaikeyi prepared to demand the two boons. Rama's coronation has not yet become the event Manthara fears, but her words have already set the exile and succession plan in motion.