After the wedding ceremony, Dashrath decides that he will hand over the throne to Rama. Hearing this, Manthara poison's Kaikaiyee's mind.
After Rama had been chosen as the groom, King Janak sent a messenger to Ayodhya to invite Dashrath for the marriage ceremony. Dashrath was overjoyed with the news, and instructed Bharat
to make arrangements for the departure of the procession. Horses,
elephants and chariots were decorated and the Sage Vashishta also
joined the procession, which set off for Janakpuri. The roads leading
to Janakpuri were repaired, bridges were built and motels were
constructed along the way, to ensure the smooth journey of the
'baraat'.
When they reached Janakpur they were
welcomed very warmly. King Janak had made elabourate arrangements for
their reception, and everything went off smoothly. Then Rama and
Lakshman came forth to greet their father and embrace their brothers Bharat and Shatrughan. The days leading to the marriage ceremony were joyous and festive.
Brides for the brothers had also been chosen under the guidance of Sage
Vashisht, and so all four brothers we wed together. Rama wed Sita,
Lakshman wed Urmila, Bharat
wed Mandavi and Shatrughan wed Shrutikeerti. After the ceremony and the
wedding feast, red betel leaves and nuts were served to the guests, and
this tradition of serving paan after dinner is still upheld in India.
Next morning the wedding procession departed after
teary goodbyes and blessings were bestowed on the couples. Meanwhile,
back in Ayodhya, excitement was in the air and preparations were being
made for the reception of the newly-weds. The people of Ayodhya
decorated their houses and there was dancing, singing and rejoicing
when the King returned with the princes and their brides. The people of
Ayodhya now had just one wish in their hearts - that King Dashrath
passes the thrown over to Rama. Then one morning when Dashrath looked
at the mirror and saw his first grey hair appear, he was struck by the
realization that he was growing old. He decided that it was time to
hand over the thrown to his firstborn, and announced his decision to
his subjects and his children. Rama was skeptical, as he felt he was no
more deserving of the crown than were his brothers, but everyone else
was overjoyed at the prospect of him becoming King. Everyone else,
except for one old maid: Manthara.
Manthara was Kaikaiyee's maid, and was jealous that
Kaushalya's son was becoming King instead of Kaikaiyee's son. She
conveyed her feelings to Kaikaiyee, who was at first upset to hear
anything said against Rama. "I love Rama more than I do my own son,"
said Kaikaiyee, and reprimanded Manthara for daring to speak against
her soon-to-be King. Manthara very cunningly praised Kaikaiyee for her
innocence. She subtly continued to poison Kaikaiyee's mind against Rama
and Kaushalya, and said that King Dashrath had chosen to coronate Rama
at the time when Bharat
was out of the kingdom. No thought was given to Bharat's presence at
this important time, and when Rama is King, even less thought would be
given to Bharat or to Kaikaiyee. She went on to say that Kaikaiyee would have to do Kaushalya's bidding and serve her.
Manthara's words shook Kaikaiyee to the core, and she asked Manthara what she should do.
