RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN--AYODHYAKANDA--CHAPTER 10

                                   RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA—CHAPTER 10

                                                                     THE UXORIOUS MONARCH

The wicked Manthara did her job well. Kaikeyi was busy revolving the plot hatched by her maid. “Manthara! You speak well. And I shall do as you say.” She heaved hot sighs of wrath. “Would I win or lose?” she asked herself. “I will win or die” she came to the conclusion. He face was black as a thunder-cloud with suppressed anger. She wrapped herself in a single cloth which was soiled and mean. She flung herself on the dust with her long her in a single braid. She lay in that dark chamber.

Now Dasaratha gave his last directions to his ministers. After that, he dismissed his audience. He withdrew to the apartments of Kaikeyi. “Rama’s coronation was suddenly resolved upon. My darling Kaikeyi cannot have been informed of it. I will be the first to bear the news to her.” With these thoughts, he went to the apartments of Kaikeyi.

Dasaratha passed on through that spacious palace. He went like a mighty lion into his lair. He proceeded to where Kaikeyi used to await his arrival. But he did not find her there. The hour, the music, the birds, the perfumes awoke in him hot desires. He asked a chamberlain, “Where is Kaikeyi?” The officer trembled with fear. “Your Majesty! I saw her proceeding in the direction of the anger chamber.” The officer informed the old Monarch.

The Monarch flew to the dark cell of Mourning. And there he saw his wife roll in the dust as one demented. The snows of sixty thousand winters lay heavy on Dasaratha. Kaikeyi was in the bright summer of her youth. Dasaratha was the soul of righteousness. Dasaratha fondly stroked his darling. He said to himself, “What would she have? Is her frame racked by any pain? Or is it that she is displeased with me? Say, are you ill? I have countless doctors of medicine. Is it your wish that I send for them now? They will cure your illness in a trice. But if you are really angry, name the wretch who has offended you. He shall suffer the tortures of the damned. Or, is it that someone, who has done some service to you, you are unable to repay him? I shall reward him beyond your expectations. Weep not. Let not senseless grief rack your fair limbs. I have this vast land at my command. You should not grieve. What innocent man you want me to be doomed to death? What wretched man you want me to set free? What beggar shall I make a prince? I am here to serve you. You know better than others the extent of my power. This broad earth is mine to command. Alas, that you should so soil your limbs. Why should you roll in dust and dirt! What do you fear? Tell me truly. I will not fail to remove it. And I swear it on the merit I have laid by till now.”

Kaikeyi was somewhat consoled by the promises of the aging Monarch. She resolved to pierce his heart with cruel words. She set about to bind him by dreadful oaths. 

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN--AYODHYAKANDA--CHAPTER 9

                    RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA—CHAPTER 9

                                                                       THE FALL OF KAIKEYI

Fire flashed from Kaikeyi’s eyes. She thought of her self reduced to the bond-maid of Kausalya. She exclaimed, “This moment I will drive Rama away from the haunts of men. And I will place the crown on the head of Bharata. Manthara! I know that your brain is keen and subtle. My son must win the throne. Rama should be eternally shut out from the succession to the throne. This is my object. I want to accomplish the object. And I count upon you to find me a way.”

Manthara said, “Here I have a plan ready to set Bharata on the throne. A great war took place of yore between the gods and the asuras. The gods had the worst of it. And they had prayed your husband to assist them. The king marched south with his friends. You accompanied him to the Dandaka forests. There Sambara, the asura, ruled from his city Vaijayanta. He was a master of illusion. He was invincible. He often fought with Indra. Dasaratha fought with him long and fiercely. And he was wounded. He lay in a deep swoon and helpless in his chariot. You drove him to another part of the field and sought to bring him back to life. But the asuras pursued him even there. They further wounded him. You took him to another place of safety. You thus rescued him from the jaws of death twice. Dasaratha was deeply grateful to you. “Saviour of my life,” he exclaimed, “I grant you two boons. Ask what you will have.” You accepted it with joy and replied, “I reserve your gifts for due season.” And he gave his consent. It was you who told me of the boons. I have treasured it in the depths of my memory.”

Manthara further counseled, “Make your husband to stop the preparation for the coronation of Rama. Put him in mind of the two boons. Use them to seat Bharata on the throne of the Kosala. And exile Rama to the woods for twice seven years.”

“I am not finished yet,” said Manthara. “You daughter of Asvapati! Take yourself to the chamber of wrath. Wrap your shapely limbs in coarse robes. Lie there in dust and dirt. The moment Dasaratha steps in sob as if your heart would break. Don’t raise your eyes to his face. Don’t speak to him. And our hopes are sure to be crowned with success. I know that you stand nearest to his heart. For you he will jump into the blazing fire. He will lay at your feet gold, gems, pearls and costly trifles. Never look at them. Recall to him the two boons given on the battlefield. He is not a man to go back upon his word. Make him cry that he will give you the two boons. Make him swear that he will not break his word. And then ask him to exile Rama to the forests for fourteen years and crown Bharata as ruler of Ayodhya. The people are fickle. They would soon forget their idol of the time, Rama. By the time Rama returns from the forests Bharata would have won the hearts of his subjects. Now is the time to accomplish our purpose or never.”

“Manthara!” exclaimed Kaikeyi. “Hunchbacks are naturally keen-witted. But you are far away and the first among them. Millions call me their queen. But you are the only one who watches over my interests. You live for my happiness. Dasartha’s black heart was a sealed book to me. I have set my eyes on countless hunchbacks. But you are a rare jewel. You are lovely beyond compare. Countless hunchbacks shall wait upon you in turn. Go tell my father that Rama will be banished from the kingdom. And my Bharata will rule the kingdom.”

Manthara had not a particle of doubt now that her pupil was dead set on her nefarious purpose.  

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN--AYODHYAKANDA--CHAPTER 8

                                                                      THE TEMPTER

Manthara flung aside the costly present of her mistress. She really came to believe that Kaikeyi was in danger. “Dull-witted! How is it that you are so insensible to the instant danger? I cannot appreciate your raptures. They are ill-timed. The news of Rama’s coronation is a death-blow to all our hopes. And you rejoice where you should lament. Rama is the son of your rival. Is he not? Then he is your Fate. The most stupid person would not go into raptures at such news.

Perhaps, you are not aware of the consequences in store for you. This crown belongs of right as much to Bharata as to Rama. So your son is an object of fear to him. the very thought fills me with despair. Rama would naturally seek to ruin Bharata. It would be to save himself from future danger through Bharata. Lakshmana is entirely devoted to Rama. Rama fears him not. Similarly, Bharata has nothing to fear from Satrughna. The younger princes would like to reign in their turn as well. Rama was born under the star Punarvasu. He gets the crown first. Next comes Bharata born under Pushya. Next comes Lakshmana and last Satrugna. So Rama will seek to make away with Bharata. Because he stands next to him. Rama is a deep one. He is an expert in the kingly polity. He knows when to act and how. I tremble to think what Bharata may suffer at the hands of Rama.

Kausalya is at the zenith of glory and power. When Rama is crowned Kausalya too would be crowned with wealth and fame. It is Kausalya you have to fear most”.

The nobility of Kaikeyi was proof against Manthara’s arguments. She sought to disarm the hunchback’s malice towards Rama. She dwelt at length on his manifold excellences. “I know well that not one of your aspersions lies at his door. Rama is an ideal for all sons to follow. And above all, he is Dasaratha’s first-born. Who deserves the crown more than he? Rama is a fond father to his brothers and dependents. It is pure madness to dream of evil to Bharata at the hands of Rama. I wonder why you are so much worried and afflicted. The very news of Rama’s coronation fills you with fear. Rama is the darling of my heart. He waits upon me ever with love and reverence. It does not matter that Bharata never comes to power. For Rama looks after his brothers as his very self”.

Kaikeyi’s defence of Rama filled Manthara with fears and sorrow. She replied, “Oh, the jaundiced eye that sees good in evil! You have a feeble intellect. Bharata is deprived of his rightful power. He is exiled from Kosala. What a pitiful sight! The rising sun will see Rama seated on the thrown. And his sons will succeed him by right. Rama but waits to get the throne untroubled by rival claims. He might exile Bharata to distant lands or send him out of this world. Lakshmana is the shadow of Rama. If Satrugna is here, the old king might remember the younger brothers. In your pride of beauty and the sway over the monarch, you have slighted Kausalya many times. You have trampled upon her heart. You have lacerated her feelings. She will wreak vengeance upon you and yours. I have spoken enough. The sun that rises to see Rama crowned also rises on the last day of Bharata’s life on earth. Do something whereby you could seat your son Bharata on his father’s throne. And send your mortal enemy Rama in the dark depths of distant forests.”

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN--AYODHYAKANDA--CHAPTER 7

                         RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA-CHAPTER 7

                                                            MANTHARA, THE PLOTTER

No one knew where Manthara came from. Her parentage was equally unknown. When Kaikeyi came to Ayodhya as the bride of Dasaratha, Manthara came along with her. She stood like a bird of evil omen on the balcony of Kaikeyi’s white mansion. And she cast an idle glance on the busy town below her. The roads were neatly swept and well-watered. Bright flags and proud bannerets crowned the houses. The city wall had been pierced with fresh gates for the easy passage of the happy crowds. The people were fresh from their bath. Rama’s palace gates were crowded with Brahmanas chanting holy hymns. Strains of sweet music rose from every quarter. Groups of happy men and women filled the streets. Even the horses and elephants, cows and bulls rejoined loudly in expectation of the happy event. The lofty gates of holy shrines glittered white in the soft moonlight. Manthara had a dark heart. She marvelled much at the sight.

She turned to a girl that stood near clad in spotless white. The girl was gazing with open-eyed amaze and pleasure at th lovely scenes. “Friend! Can you tell me why Kausalya is so free and lavish with her gold? She was ever known to be close-fisted and greedy. What mean these gay and happy crowds? What wonderful pageant, what new surprise, has our king for us?” The maid replied, “King Dasaratha has decided to seat our darling Rama on the royal throne. The people are beside themselves with joy.” The words roused black envy in the heart of the hunchback. She sped down from the terrace to where Kaikeyi slept. Wicked thoughts seethed in the brain of the hunchback. Her heart was aflame with wrath. “Sleeping blessedly, you foolish one! Awake, arise, for Peril draws near you. Don’t you see the dark clouds of misfortune over your head? You brag of your rare beauty and good fortune. You say they have made you the heart’s delight of your husband. But you have no place in his affections.”

These cruel words from the enraged heart of the hand-maid affected the queen. She said to Manthara, “What? This from you! I fear some unseen evil has clouded your heart.”

“Lady!” the scheming Manthara asked, “Do you not know that the foolish king is going to crown Rama as the ruler of this vast country? I do not know if a greater evil can befall you! It is hopeless to prevent it. You are the idol of my heart. I suffer the tortures of the damned. I have become a prey to consuming flames. I flew to you to save you from your fate. I live or die with you. You are a daughter of a mighty king. And you were wedded to a mightier monarch. But you are a sweet and gentle dove ensnared by a cruel and cunning vulture. Your husband’s honeyed words conceal a cruel heart. He has taken advantage of your pure heart. He has cozened you with sweet talk of undying love. But his soul has been all the while busy plotting your ruin. And now he has thrown off his mask. He is showering wealth and honour on his favourite queen and her son. Ah, my queen! Your fond love has blinded your eyes to the coming evil! Your husband has managed to keep your son Bharata far away from the throne. Your husband is really your most relentless foe. Avoid him, now at least, as you would the Bringer of death. Have you placed your confiding soul in the keeping of your mortal enemy? Ah, gentle heart, that was made for a life of happiness and pleasure! Beware it is too late. Wake to your peril, now at least. Save Bharata from the brink of ruin. Thereby save yourself and me!”

Kaikeyi, who lay stretched at her ease, heard her out with a smile of amused pity. But the news of Rama’s coronation thrilled here with joy. Her face reflected her heart. It was like the beautiful autumn moon. She rose in joyous haste and glad surprise. Her prayers and long-cherished hopes had borne fruit. She could not dream of a greater good fortune to herself and Bharata. She threw a priceless necklace of flashing gems round the hunchback’s neck. “None can rejoice more at Rama’s coronation than I, his mother. For Rama and Bharata are the twin blossoms that grow from my heart! These are sweetest words I have ever heard till now. And I cannot reward you enough! Ask what you will of me, for, it is yours.”

Kaikeyi’s innocent happiness and ready welcome made the evil Manthara more determined in her purpose of evil.