Manthara's Evil Plot

The highly knowledgeable Maharshi Vashishtha was a Vedic scholar familiar with folk customs. He visited Rama's chamber, and when Rama came out barefoot, he respectfully touched the guru's feet. Rama then respectfully escorted the sage into the room and sought his blessings. 

"Dear Rama, your coronation is tomorrow, so you and Sita should fast tonight and recite holy mantras," advised Vashishtha.

Rama listened carefully to every word the guru said and promised to obey them. Maharshi Vashishtha returned to King Dasharatha. Rama and Sita fasted that night according to the guru's command. They also chanted the mantras the sage taught them.

In the palace, there lived an old hunchbacked maid of Kaikeyi named Manthara, whose thoughts were as polluted as she was ugly. When she learned of Rama's coronation the next day, she ran to Queen Kaikeyi.

"Wake up, foolish woman!" cried Manthara as she entered Kaikeyi's room. "Immense misfortune is heading your way and will destroy everything you possess. The sun is setting on your destiny. King Dasharatha has decided to make Rama king in your son Bharata's absence."

Upon hearing the news of Rama's coronation, Kaikeyi was overjoyed. Despite Rama not being born from Kaikeyi's womb, she loved him the most. She took off her necklace and gave it to Manthara as a token of gratitude for being the first to share the good news. However, Manthara callously threw the necklace to the ground.

"Fool!" Manthara yelled at Kaikeyi. "From tomorrow, your son, Bharata, will live the life of a subject and slave. Rama will not let him live. You will become Queen Kaushalya's maidservant."