Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 7
यथा हि कुर्यात्सर्पो वा शत्रुर्वा प्रत्युपेक्षितः। राज्ञा दशरथेनाद्य सपुत्रा त्वं तथा कृता
yathā hi kuryātsarpo vā śatrurvā pratyupekṣitaḥ| rājñā daśarathenādya saputrā tvaṃ tathā kṛtā
King Dasaratha has done to you and to your son the same thing as a snake or an enemy would do when ignored.
— M.N. Dutt (1891)
Commentary
The king has treated you like a snake or an enemy would, Manthara says. The similes escalate — from deceit to hostility to venomous betrayal. Manthara leaves no room for doubt: every kindness Dasharatha has shown Kaikeyi was a lie.
सर्पअमित्र