On the day on which Dasaratha summoned the Assembly and decided to anoint Raama
as Yuvaraaja, Manthara happened to climb up to the terrace of the women's apartments and
stood surveying the town below. She saw the streets were sprinkled with water and gaily
decorated. Flags flew from the house-tops. Wearing new clothes and bright jewels, smeared
with sandal paste and decked in flowers, people moved about in crowds, engrossed in
happy talk.
Musical instruments played in the temples.
Manthara could not understand the reason for all this, for she did not know what
the King had decided. Some celebration was on, she guessed. Manthara turned to a servant
and asked her: "Why are you wearing this silk dress? What is on in the City? Kausalya
seems to be distributing gifts to Braahmanas. |
