Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 7
कैकेयी त्वब्रवीत्कुब्जां कच्चित्क्षेमं नु मन्थरे। विषण्णवदनां हि त्वां लक्षये भृशदुःखिताम्
kaikeyī tvabravītkubjāṃ kaccitkṣemaṃ nu manthare| viṣaṇṇavadanāṃ hi tvāṃ lakṣaye bhṛśaduḥkhitām
Kaikeyi said to the hunchback, O Manthara isn't all well with you? I can mark it from your dejected face how greatly distressed you feel, indeed.
— M.N. Dutt (1891)
Commentary
Kaikeyi responds with gentle concern — 'Are you unwell, Manthara? I can see your face is dejected.' The queen's instinct is kindness. She does not defend herself; she asks after her maid. The gentleness of her response makes what follows more tragic.
प्रियवाक्य