RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA, CHAPTER 11
THE FATAL BOONS
KAIKEYI remembered Manthara’s words. “Bind your husband by oaths. Then make him grant the two boons.” She knew about the old king. He was passionate about Kaikeyi. He was ready to do anything for her. She knew that he was ready to do anything for her sake. She said to Dasaratha, “Your numerous gifts have been good. But I do not care for them. You are a great monarch. I have a certain purpose at heart. You are mighty. You may make or mar my heart’s desire. If you are going to grant me the boons, swear to me you would do so.”
Dasaratha wondered much about Kaikeyi’s words and strange behaviour. “I am here to obey her words. Yet she asks me to swear. It is a trifle for me to give her what she wants. Well, I thank the Gods that she is in good health. He smiled at Kaikeyi. He raised her from the ground. He laid her fair head on his lap. He felt a rush of blood. The madness of his love rose to a delirium. Without considering what he was about to say, he spoke, “O, fairest Queen on earth! You know that no other woman is nearer my heart. You are more welcome to my eyes than Rama. But he is the best of men! Would you like me to swear upon the peerless prince? What shall I do for you? I swear to carry out your purpose. I swear on my Rama! I shall think it my privilege and honour if you ask me to sacrifice my body. I shall swear upon Bharata and other sons. I cannot live away from my Rama. And by him, I swear to fulfil your wish. I would rather die than fail to do your bidding. Speak out your wish. And save me from grief and anxiety. You know I am a slave to you. You have cast a mighty spell on me. You know my power to make or mar. Do you still doubt my good faith? Once again I swear by every good and holy act I have done. I shall carry out your order at any cost.”
Kaikeyi never forgot Manthara’s counsel. Manthara had advised her to secure the exile of Rama. And another purpose is the installation of Bharata. Now Dasaratha has sworn. Kaikeyi is overjoyed. Her husband would not fail to carry out her wish. He had sworn upon his darling son, Rama. So, Kaikeyi resolved to tell Dasaratha of her cruel purpose. She was like the God of Death in disguise. Then Kaikeyi had a doubt. “True,” she thought, “the old monarch has sworn to do whatever her wish was. My boon is not an ordinary one. But he may hear me out. Then he could say, ‘It is not in my power to do what you say! Then my heart’s hope would be shattered!” Kaikeyi decided to bind the king more securely. She exclaimed, “Righteous King! You have sworn by Rama. If you speak true, I would say what my wish is. Listen, O, You gods, thirty-three planetary Rulers! King Dasaratha swears to grant my wish. And he is a speaker of truth. He is a warrior of immeasurable might. He is an adept in the mystery of dharma. O, gods, lend me your ears and witness his promise!” Thus Kaikeyi cast her powerful spells over Dasaratha. Dasaratha was blinded by love and passion. He was ready to please her at any cost. She said to Dasaratha, “My Lord! Let me make you remember the battle you waged against Sambara, the Asura. He wounded you and you fainted right away. But I took the risk of losing my life and drove you to a distant part of the field. I spent the long night ministering to you. I hope you have not forgotten the incident. The next day you were very pleased with my gesture. You granted me two boons. But I kept them with you until some likely season. O, Lord of the immeasurable expanse of the earth! You are the soul of Truth! Now I pray you to grant me two boons. If you refuse to grant me the boons, I shall die.”
The monarch was like the foolish deer that went toward the hunter who was playing on his flute. Kaikeyi’s words had already enslaved him. He cried, “Enough! Have you not my promise to carry out your bidding? Why do you still hesitate?”
Alas! He did not suspect what was in store for him! He did not see the shadow of Death hovering over him. Kaikeyi observed him keenly. And she was convinced that he was hopelessly enslaved to her beauty. He has assured her that he would grant anything she wants. Once again she stared at him. She spoke to him, “I am about to ask you to grant me the two boons. Hear me with utmost attention. My son Bharata shall be crowned to the throne! My son should be crowned with the very things prepared towards Rama’s coronation! Mighty monarch! Now is the time for me to ask of you the second boon! Rama shall be banished to the forests of Dandaka for fourteen years! He shall live as a recluse in the forests. He must have matted hair and dressed in deer-skin and the bark of trees. Look sharp! This very moment my son Bharata should rule over the country undisturbed. This is the wish of my heart. And you have sworn inviolably to realize it. I am only asking you to perform what you had promised. This very day I shall see Rama turn his back upon Ayodhya. He must go to Dandaka. King of kings! Keep your promise! Act as I say and save you from disgrace! You belong to the line of the mighty Ikshvakus. You should act in agreement with your illustrious forefathers. It is your duty as a king. In your crown shines the brightest jewel of Truth. I have heard wise and holy men speak of Truth. It is the surest road to the bright mansions of the Blessed!”
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