Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 7
मन्थरा तु वच श्श्रुत्वा कैकेय्या मधुराक्षरम्। उवाच क्रोधसंयुक्ता वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदा
mantharā tu vaca śśrutvā kaikeyyā madhurākṣaram| uvāca krodhasaṃyuktā vākyaṃ vākyaviśāradā
Hearing the words of Kaikeyi uttered in a gentle voice, wrathful Manthara skilled in speech, said:
— M.N. Dutt (1891)
Commentary
Manthara, 'skilled in speech,' responds. The epithet is important — she is not merely angry but articulate. Her poison is words, carefully chosen. She knows exactly how to reach Kaikeyi's heart and turn it.
वाग्मीमर्मन्