Kaikeyi's decision to demand two boons from King Dasaratha was influenced by Mandaravi's manipulation.




Mandaravi's Manipulation:


Mandaravi, one of Kaikeyi's trusted maids, played a significant role in influencing Kaikeyi's decision. She manipulated Kaikeyi's emotions and planted seeds of jealousy and insecurity in her mind. Mandaravi's manipulation can be seen in the following ways:

i) Feeding Kaikeyi's jealousy:
Mandaravi fed Kaikeyi's jealousy by constantly praising Queen Kausalya and her son, Prince Rama. She made Kaikeyi believe that Queen Kausalya and Rama were loved more by King Dasaratha and the people of Ayodhya. This fueled Kaikeyi's insecurities and made her feel neglected.

ii) Exploiting Kaikeyi's fears:
Mandaravi exploited Kaikeyi's fears by convincing her that if Prince Rama were to become the king, Kaikeyi and her son, Bharata, would lose their status and power. She made Kaikeyi believe that Rama would exile them and take away their privileges. This created a sense of threat in Kaikeyi's mind, leading her to take drastic measures to protect her son's future.

iii) Manipulating Kaikeyi's desire for power:
Mandaravi further manipulated Kaikeyi by fueling her desire for power. She made Kaikeyi believe that if Bharata were to become the king instead of Rama, she would have control and influence over the kingdom. This appealed to Kaikeyi's ambitions and made her more inclined to take actions that would secure Bharata's position as the future king.




Conclusion:


In conclusion, Kaikeyi's decision to demand two boons from King Dasaratha was heavily influenced by Mandaravi's manipulation. Mandaravi played on Kaikeyi's jealousy, fears, and desire for power, ultimately leading Kaikeyi to make a selfish and harmful decision that had far-reaching consequences for the kingdom of Ayodhya.