Kaikeyi's Fateful Demands to Dasaratha
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 11
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 11
Kaikeyi demands two shocking boons from King Dasaratha, altering Rama's destiny. Witness the pivotal moment that sets the stage for Rama's epic journey in the Ramayana.
Kaikeyi, struck by Kamadeva's (god of love) arrows and overcome with passion, spoke dreadful words to King Dasaratha. She said:
"O king, I have not been offended or disregarded by anyone. However, I have a request that I want you to fulfill. If you are willing to grant it, promise me first, and then I will tell you what I desire."
The mighty king, filled with passion, gently held Kaikeyi's hair and said with a bright smile:
"O proud lady, don't you know that no one is dearer to me than you, except for Rama, the best among men? I swear by the invincible, noble-minded Rama, without whom I cannot live even for a moment, that I will fulfill your wish. Tell me what you desire, and I will do it, even at the cost of my life or the lives of my other sons."
Dasaratha continued, "O gentle lady, my heart is sinking. Relieve me from this distress and tell me what you think is good. You know the power you have over me, so do not doubt me. I swear on all my good deeds that I will do whatever pleases you."
Delighted by the king's words, Kaikeyi disclosed her terrible wish, which had entered her mind like a sudden visitation of death. She invoked divine witnesses to the king's promise:
"Let all the gods, the sky, the planets, day and night, the world, and all beings witness your promise. O king, recall the event long ago in the war between gods and asuras (demons) where I saved your life. For that, you granted me two boons. I now seek those two boons you promised."
Kaikeyi then issued a dire warning: "If you don't grant me these boons you've vowed to give, I will end my life right here, disgraced by you."
The king, now under Kaikeyi's control, fell into her trap like a deer jumping to its own destruction. Kaikeyi then revealed her demands:
Crown Prince Substitution: "The preparations made for Rama's consecration should be used to crown my son Bharata instead."
Rama's Exile: "Rama should be sent to the Dandaka forest for fourteen years, living like an ascetic, wearing bark and deerskin, with matted hair."
She added, "Let Bharata enjoy the position of crown prince without any rivals. This is my great desire. I want to see Rama depart for the forest today itself."
Kaikeyi concluded with a manipulative appeal to Dasaratha's sense of duty:
"O king of kings, be true to your vow. Protect your race, character, and lineage. Sages say that there is no greater merit than truthfulness for securing a place in the afterlife."
This concludes the eleventh chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.