The exile of Rama, Sita, and Lakshmana was orchestrated by Queen Kaikeyi, heavily influenced by the cunning advice of her maidservant, Manthara. This event caused immense grief in Ayodhya, leading to the death of King Dasharatha. During this upheaval, Bharata and Shatrughna were away. Upon their return, they were heartbroken to learn of the tragic developments.
In a fit of uncontrollable rage, Shatrughna resolved to
punish Manthara for her treachery. He stormed into her quarters, seized her by
the hair, and began dragging her across the floor. Manthara, bruised and
terrified, screamed for Kaikeyi's help. The garlands adorning her hunchback
were torn to pieces in the violent struggle. Shatrughna, furious, shouted,
"You are the cause of my father's death and the exile of my brother!"
Kaikeyi witnessed the scene from a distance. Fearing that
Shatrughna would turn his wrath upon her next, she fled in panic. As she ran,
Shatrughna called after her, "You are an unfortunate wife. Our father
loved you most, and whatever you wished, he fulfilled. Killing you would
condemn me to hell. You danced to the tune of a maid and failed to use your own
judgment."
Consumed by his anger, Shatrughna struck Manthara hard,
causing her to bleed. With a powerful kick, he broke one of her ankles.
Manthara, profusely bleeding, eventually fainted. Bharata, fearing the sin that
Shatrughna might incur for killing a woman, intervened just in time.
"Stop, Shatrughna!" Bharata pleaded. "If Rama
hears of this, he will be deeply hurt and might forsake us. That is why I
spared our mother despite her actions."
Heeding his brother's advice, Shatrughna ceased his assault.
He dragged the bleeding Manthara and left her in Kaikeyi's room, ensuring she
would confront the consequences of her manipulations. This act was both a
punishment for Manthara and a stark reminder to Kaikeyi of the havoc her
decisions had wrought upon their family and the entire kingdom of Ayodhya.