RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN, AYODHYAKANDA, CHAPTER 20, THIRD PART

RAMAYANA FOR CHILDREN—AYODHYAKANDA—CHAPTER 20, THIRD PART

Kausalya continued to speak about her life in the palace: “There are well-meaning souls. But they are afraid of speaking to me and cheer me up. They are afraid of the son of Kaikeyi. So they will avoid me like a pestilence. For they fear that Kaikeyi’s son might punish them. Kaikeyi has never a kind word or look for me. Cruel taunts and cutting sarcasms fall from her lips. Now, you say you will go to the Dantaka forests. This is the cruellest stroke of misfortune. It delivers me over to her. Do I have the strong heart to meet her frowns? For seventeen years I have been bearing my cross. I thought My Rama will grow into a youth. And then he will be crowned in the place of his father. And with that all my sufferings would come to a closure. This was how I used to think. But, alas! My hopes are nipped in the bud. The gibes and jeers of my rivals would pierce my heart. And how long could I bear these refined torments? It is a night that knows no morning. “Youth, health and beauty have passed away from me. I am an eye-sore to the king. It is not possible for me to live this dog’s life. I can no more bear this misery and disgrace. I thought your sweet presence would the awful gloom. Verily, this is a dark misery. My fasts, vows, observances and prayers are directed to one end. My sweet hopes have turned to dust and ashes. The glorious future I expected has suddenly darkened into a gloom. It is ominous and terrible. My heart breaks under the stress of and strain of this calamity. It is like the roaring flood in rainy season turns the solid banks into powder. Death does not come to one one moment sooner or later. It occurs at the right time. Or has Death forgotten me? How good it would be if death occurs to me now! If there is a chance to die before our time, I would hug Death and oblivion. My mind is set toward the Mansions of Yama. It would be miserable to live in your absence. It would be like a cow violently deprived of her one calf! My place is not here when you are in the woods. I will even follow you where you go. My hopes and joy rest on you. I am like an aged cow. I can never be parted from my calf.” Thus Kaikeyi moaned and wailed. She was in the utter agony of her grief. Rama was bound by the bonds of truth. He was absolutely powerless to stretch forth a helping hand. Kausalya raised her voice and wept aloud.