In plain words
Horses were neighing, elephants trumpeting, auspicious instruments sounding. Wanting to see where these sounds were coming from, the hunchbacked Mantharā climbed up the palace and looked. She saw Daśaratha coming in procession. She did not like the king being in such splendour. As she was coming down, one of Kausalyā's maids came towards her. The maid was wearing the silk clothes and jewels Kausalyā had given her, and was on her way to show them to Kaika. Mantharā: “Why are you coming along so finely dressed? Who gave you all this?” she asked. The maid told her that in her joy that her son Rāma was to be crowned king, Kausalyā had given silk clothes and jewels to all her maids. The moment she heard these words, envy rose in Mantharā. She was angry that she had not been given anything as well.
At once she went inside. At that time Kaika was happily adorning herself. Mantharā: “Kaika! What is all this splendour of yours? What is all this finery? What are you doing it for?” she asked. Kaika paid no heed to her words. Mantharā went up close: “Kaika, my dear! You think the king loves you very much. That love is false. Trusting that love, you are being deceived. In the days ahead your position is going to sink very low. Look, listen to me,” she said, and tapped her gently on the shoulder. By that touch the evil feelings in her entered Kaika.
So we must never keep company with those who have bad qualities. Even their touch brings us great danger. Kaika, who till then had loved Rāma so much, turned against him at that moment. Mantharā, another name for envy, spoilt her mind with her evil counsel. No one possessed by the great demon called envy comes to good. That is why I say from time to time: “Tyaja durjana saṃsargaṃ.” Do not keep company with those who have bad qualities. Even if it costs you your life, do not make friends with the envious.