Sages & Others
Manthara
मन्थरा
The Gandharvi Born to Quarrel
Who was Manthara?
Manthara (मन्थरा): The Gandharvi Born to Quarrel, one of the sages and supporting figures in the Mahabharata. The Gandharvi Dundubhi, commanded by Brahma to take birth among men as part of the arrangement against Ravana, and born as the hunchbacked serving maid of Kaikeyi.
Quick Facts
| Sanskrit name | मन्थरा |
|---|---|
| Title / Epithet | The Gandharvi Born to Quarrel |
| Faction | Sages & Others |
| Key traits | Crooked, Persuasive, Appointed, Divisive |
| Notable relationships | Sent Him to Exile: Rama, Her King: Dasaratha, Cause of Her Exile: Sita |
| Featured in | 1 story |
About Manthara
The Gandharvi Dundubhi, commanded by Brahma to take birth among men as part of the arrangement against Ravana, and born as the hunchbacked serving maid of Kaikeyi. Instructed by the Creator himself in what she had to do, she went about the world fomenting quarrels; hearing that Rama was to be installed at the Pushya hour, she went to her mistress and named it Kaikeyi's ill-luck, and out of that one speech came the two boons and Rama's fourteen years in the forest.
In Their Words
Kausalya is fortunate today. Where, O unlucky one, is your prosperity now?
Manthara
Traits
- Crooked
- Persuasive
- Appointed
- Divisive
Story Appearances
Character Arc
- The CommissionBrahma sends a Gandharvi down to be born a hunchback
- The WhisperTells Kaikeyi that another woman's son will have the throne
Key Relationships
Places in Manthara's Story
Drawn from the story Manthara appears in.
Related Characters
Others counted among the Sages & Others.