Valmiki Ramayana · Ayodhya Kanda · Sarga 7
इदं तु मन्थरे मह्यमाख्यासि परमं प्रियम्। एतन्मे प्रियमाख्यातुः किं वा भूयः करोमि ते
idaṃ tu manthare mahyamākhyāsi paramaṃ priyam| etanme priyamākhyātuḥ kiṃ vā bhūyaḥ karomi te
O Manthara, the news you have brought me is exceedingly pleasant. What more can I do for you? Here is the gift for one who brings good tidings.
— M.N. Dutt (1891)
Commentary
Kaikeyi declares she sees no distinction between Rama and Bharata. The statement is the ethical heart of the kanda — the truth that Manthara's poison must destroy. Kaikeyi's love for Rama is real. It must be killed before she can act against him.
समतावात्सल्य