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.