RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN--AYODHYAKANDA--CHAPTER 14, PART ONE

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA—CHAPTER 14—PART ONE

                                                                    KAIKEYI’S TRIUMPH

The pitiful sight of her lord and husband did not have the slightest impression on Kaikeyi’s sinful heart. It was nothing to her that Dasaratha was a mighty emperor. He was also the head of Ikshvaku clan counted for nothing. She never wavered from her purpose. But she struck at him again and again. “You are a fine king!” she sneered at him. “You are profuse in your promises. And now you hold back. You are a pitiful sinner to truth and virtue. I cannot think of any reason as to why you roll on the ground. You were not called upon to make a great and sudden sacrifice. Let me tell you this; bear in your mind that you have to keep your promise to the letter. I do ask you to honour your promise. King Sibi is your noble ancestor. He once passed his word to a vulture. He gave his own flesh for it to feed upon. And thus Sibi won the World of Light. Alarka was a royal sage. He promised to a Brahmana to grant him anything he might ask for. The strange petitioner asked for the eyes of Alarka. And Alarka gladly gave his eyes to the Brahmana. It was to keep his word. The Lord of the ocean could easily break his promise. But he would never dream of it. The Supreme Brahman is the goal of all aspirations. He knows there is nothing higher than Truth. Dharma flourishes in the rich soil of Truth. Don’t you think you are one of such great Beings? The eternal Vedas teach nothing higher than Truth. It is the surest means to realize our farthest hopes. And if you are earnest to uphold dharma, hold fast to Truth. Is it not your proud boast that none sought your grace in vain? Then, let not my boons go to waste. Banish Rama to the woods. And thus earn more righteous fame. Grant my earnest prayer. Once, twice and thrice I warn you. If you do not heed my request, you will be doused with my blood!”

Thus Kaikeyi goaded him on. She was now surer of her triumph. “Bali was an Asura. He struggled to cast off the noose thrown round him by Lord Vishnu. Vishnu had come down on earth as Upendra. He was helpless and he groped as a blind man. His pride as a king belonging to Ikshvaku came to his rescue. With a great effort, he became calm and put on a bold front. He cried, ‘Sinful wretch! Let me fling away the hand that grasped in holy wedlock. I put away the wicked offspring of that marriage!’ he said.” Kaikeyi was sermonizing to Dasaratha.  The Night came to an end and soon it was daybreak. “The sages and the Brahmanas are at my doors,” said a careless Kaikeyi. “They will want to hasten you for the coronation of Rama. It is a very congenial piece of work to do. You will not hesitate to crown your Rama. You can utilize the very materials brought together for the coronation of Rama to perform my funeral obsequies!”