Manthara: who was once a beautiful princess

Lisa Roy

Manthara: who was once a beautiful princess

When it comes to the Ramayana, everyone wants to know more about it and read it. But Manthara is a character in the Ramayana about whom you haven't heard much. She is considered the major villain of Ram-Katha by some storytellers since she forced Sita and Ram to live in exile. But how many of you know that she was a Princess and the sister of Kaikeya, not a maid?

Princess Rekha; Image Source- Navbharat times

Kaikeya state is said to be located between the current Caucasus, Kashmir, Afghanistan, and Punjab. According to mythology, King Ashwapati had one brother, Vrihadshrav, and his daughter was Princess Rekha. Rekha has been compared to Vishalakshi, a big-eyed Hindu goddess and extremely clever. Princess Rekha had taken something unsuitable to keep her form at all times, causing her body to bend and become unattractive. She was a victim of Tridosha owing to the use of syrup, and her body was tilted in three places, according to one of the reasons for her being ugly. Due to this condition. As a result, her name was changed to Manthara.

Due to her physical ailments, she remained unmarried for the rest of her life. When Kaikeyi married, she became Kaikeyi's bodyguard with her father's permission and lived in his palace. She was also mentally troubled, and her behaviour deteriorated frequently as a result of the relocation.

Later, Manthara joined Bharata when he went to urge Rama to return to Ayodhya. "Please forgive me, Rama!" she pleaded. Rama responded, "There is nothing to forgive." "Listen up: you were a celestial Gandharvi in a past life. You chose to be born as a mortal for Dasharatha's eldest son to be banished to the jungle." Manthara was even more surprised and shocked by what Rama stated next. "Manthara, we'll meet again! You will be a lady, slumped over like you are now, and your name will be Kubja. Krishna will be my name. When I embrace you in the next lifetime, your back will straighten."

After a few time, finally, the day came when Maharaja Dasaratha announced his eldest son Rama's coronation in the Chaitra month, Kubri Manthara came and informed Kaikeyi. Kaikeyi was overjoyed when she learned of this and gifted Manthara with a gem in exchange. Manthara threw the jewel and gave Kaikeyi a thorough explanation. But Kaikeyi ignored Manthara and claimed that it is Raghukul's custom for only the eldest son to inherit the throne, and Ram is adored by all.

Then, disguised as Manthara, Kaikeyi remembered his two boons and became suspicious. Actually, King Dasaratha took part in the Devasur Sangram at Indra's request. In this conflict, he was supported by his wife Kaikeyi. During the conflict, Dasaratha was unconscious. Dasharatha was pleased and offered two boons after Kaikeyi got him out of the battlefield while the king was unconscious.

Then Kaikeyi stated that when the time comes, she would ask for the boons. Later, after Manthara filled Kaikeyi's ear, she proceeded to the Kop Bhavan at Manthara's request to remind King Dasaratha of his two boons. Ask for a boon, King Dasaratha replied. Kaikeyi then sought Rama's exile and Bharata's kingdom as a boon. King Dasharatha collapsed to the ground upon hearing Varadasa's words. When Shatrughan learned that Ram had been exiled due to Manthara, he was so furious and kicked Kubri Maasi Manthara's hump.