RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA: CHAPTER 12, SECOND PART
KAIKEYI continued to torture the aged monarch, Dasaratha.
“Death has no terrors for me. Death is a welcome friend. I don’t intend to see people pay homage to my rival, Kausalya. I have been an infinite joy to you. Can you deny that? My heart will have no peace unless I see Rama driven to the forests.” Kaikeyi maintained a cold and contemptuous silence after speaking as above-said. Dasaratha passionately entreated her. But Kaikeyi turned a deaf year to all his entreaties.
The words, “Rama should be exiled and Bharata should be crowned” fell like drops of molten lead in Dasaratha’s ears. For a moment he sat like a stupid person. Then he stared at his wife in bewilderment. Kaikeyi’s love and affection were turned into a merciless hatred and cold heartlessness. Her words pierced his heart. He cried, “Oh, Rama!” Then he fell like one struck by lightning. He seemed like a person of an unsettled mind. He turned to Kaikeyi in abject humility. He said, “Please, let me know the person who has turned you like this. Has some demon taken possession of your soul? You were just a girl when I married you. Now you have grown up and keep a black heart behind your fare face. I don’t know why you want to use the two boons after this fashion. Put from you this unholy resolve. You must have committed some cruel things in the past. The result is your mean heart. So I am not surprised by the sea change in your behaviour. I am a fool to expect any kindness from you. My only consolation is that your hopes will not be carried out into action. All your labour and trouble will be in vain. Fool! Don’t you know that Bharata will remain in Ayodhya only if allowed by Rama? Bharata will be very much affected if Rama is not here. Bharata also is a virtuous son of mine. So, I will divide this kingdom equally among my sons. Or I will give the whole nation to Bharata. But please allow Rama to remain in Ayodhya. I want this request fulfilled so I would have Rama in the remaining days of me on this earth. This is a reasonable request. If you don’t grant even this you will be responsible for my death.”
“The cruel words” Dasaratha continued, “go to the forests will dim the lustre of Rama’s face. His face would become like the moon in the grip of Rahu. How can I look upon his face like this and continue to live? I have made this resolve to crown Rama. It is not out of any sudden freak or individual caprice. But I have taken earnest counsel with my ministers, friends, subjects, brother-kings, Brahmana and Sages. Mine is a well-concerted plan. Your obstinacy will not be allowed to spoil my decision. I have invited guests and kings from four quarters. What would they think of me? They would say that this Dasaratha is an idiot. He has lived for sixty thousand years. But he is not any the better for it. This is how they would react.”
“Many men, women, children and persons hoary in ears, knowledge and experience have been invited by me. If they ask me what happened and why the coronation did not take place, what shall tell them? Shall I say that ‘I have given Kaikeyi two boons? She has invoked them now. She asked for Rama’s exile and I have sent him to the Dantaka forests? Shall I tell them Kaikeyi wants her son, Bharata to be crowned?’”
“Surely Kausalya will ask me about the offence Rama has committed. What reply do you expect me to give? What a noble woman she is! She waits upon me as though she were not the queen of this realm. She is an ideal wife. She joins me humbly when I discharge some moral or religious duty. At times like that she puts away her pride and haughtiness natural to a queen. When I took other wives she did not feel any jealousy. No mother is anxious for her son’s good like Kausalya. She is ever intent in anticipating my slightest wish. Even Rama takes a secondary place in her heart. She is ever soft and gentle of speech. She is my first love and eldest queen. I have disgracefully neglected her. All because I feared your displeasure like a coward!”
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