Raja Dashrath was a self-satisfied man when he entered Rani Kaikeyi’s palace. Not even the fact that Kaikeyi was in her ‘Kop Bhavan’ – the Chamber of Fury – prepared him for what was to follow. He thought it was one of those fancies which his pretty queen might have adopted to add to the pleasure of the forthcoming celebration, which the entire city of Ayodhya was keenly awaiting.
To him everything seemed to be falling in place. The gentry as well as the commoners had heartily welcomed his proposal to make Ram his successor to the throne. The friendly rajas too were happy because in Ram they saw someone easy to deal with. If there was a little possibility of opposition to Ram, Dashrath thought smiling to himself, he had taken good care to keep his father-in-law, the Raja of Kaikeya, in the dark lest he should put wrong ideas in Bharat’s head who was staying with him. They would know when everything had been finalised.
The sight that met Old Dashrath’s eyes inside the Chamber of Fury was not exactly inviting. The young queen was petulant. Her jewels lay scattered all over the floor. Clad in a coarse fabric she lay there with her back turned towards him. Dashrath’s fond eyes saw beauty even in that disturbing guise of hers. Rolling amorously his hands over her body, he asked in a sweet voice, “What’s wrong with you, my precious one, why do you seem offended? I am ready to give my life to see you smile. Tell me and I will this instant make a millionaire out of a pauper. Or render a raja a street beggar. O Goddess Mine, I am incapable of going against your will…”
“I know what you are incapable of. You can’t be forthright with me,” Kaikeyi sniped at him.
The raja fumbled momentarily, but managed to carry on, “My mind is an open book to you, dearest. Now ask me anything and it shall be done. What this devotee of yours desires is to make you happy. I am at your command. Just tell me your wish and I will fulfil it. I swear by Ram!”
Rani Kaikeyi turned towards him abruptly, her face beaming with an alluring smile. She extended her shapely arm to pick up her necklace and putting it on, said, “Much that you are given to making promises, my lord, you have to stand by them as well.”
“Oh! This reminds me. Once, I did grant you two boons. It was so long ago. You said you would ask for them when time comes. That time has come, my queen. Tomorrow, Prince Ram, who is dear to both of us, is being anointed to inherit my throne. There could not be a better occasion to have your fondest wishes fulfilled. Do let me know what you desire.”
Kaikeyi had by then put on most of her ornaments that she had thrown on the floor. The glow on her face had returned. Her lips were cheerier than ever. Her eyes focussed on his face, she spoke haltingly as if to etch every syllable of her utterance on her husband’s mind, “My lord, first give me your solemn word that you will grant me what I ask of you. Only then shall I reveal to you my heart’s desires.”
Raja Dashrath assured her that the promises he made to her were cast in stone. He was a Raghu and the Raghus would rather die than be untrue to their word.
Having received a cast-iron guarantee from Raja Dashrath, Kaikeyi went ahead to spell out her demands –
Sunhu pranpriya bhavat ji ka/dehu aik bar Bharatahi tika//
Mangaun dusar bar kar jori/Purvahu nath Manorath mori//
Tapas besh biseshi udasi/Chaudah baris Ramu banbasi/
Suni mridu bachan bhup hinya soku/Sasi kar chhuat bikal jimi koku//
O, you, who are dearer to me than my breath! Listen to me. Give me the one boon dearest to my heart. Anoint Bharat to inherit the throne. With folded hands do I beg of you the other boon. Grant me my desire –
In the attire of hermits and with the emotion of absolute indifference (as to the kingdom and the family) may Ram reside in the forest for fourteen years. On hearing Kaikeyi’s courteous speech, the raja felt as sorrowful in his heart as does the male partridge on the touch of the rays of Moon.
– Ramcharitmanas, Ayodhyakand, 28(i-ii)
As Sant Tulsidas has observed, Raja Dashrath was drowned in sorrow when he heard out Kaikeyi. He swooned with excess of emotion. Rousing himself to face the situation, he upbraided Kaikeyi for thinking ill of Ram who held her in high esteem. Kaikeyi didn’t react to that. He then tried to seek her mercy: “I am far gone in years. It is not possible for me to live without Ram by my side. Please have pity on me. I bow to your feet,” crying pathetically, the raja fell on her feet.
That proved too much for Kaikeyi. “Maharaj!” She screamed at him, “You take pride in your truthfulness and yet you want to forego your promise. That would be shameful and utterly ignoble on your part. Stand by your word and protect your reputation. If you fail, I would take poison and die here and now.”
Dashrath made numerous pleas to her: Ram was blameless. With what face could he banish him to wilderness? He could not displease Queen Kaushalya sending her son away. She cared for him like a slave, friend, sister and mother, all put together. It was better for Kaikeyi to strangle him with her own hands than insist on her unjustified demands.
But Kaikeyi remained steadfast. She told Dashrath categorically –
Kahehi karhu kin koti upaya/Ihan na lagihi rauri maya//
Dehu ki lehu ajsu kari nahin/Mohin a bahut prapanch sohahin//
You may try a zillion tricks but none of your ruses will work here. Either grant me what I demand; else earn infame. I do not like artifice.
-Ibid, 32(iii)
Poor old Raja Dashrath had reached the end of the road.
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