Sumantra Confronts Kaikeyi's Demands
Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 35
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Ayodhyakanda - Sarga 35
Sumantra rebukes Queen Kaikeyi for her demands to exile Rama. His impassioned plea highlights tradition, morality, and consequences, yet Kaikeyi remains unmoved. A pivotal moment in the Ramayana.
Sumantra, overcome with anger, displayed physical signs of his distress:
He shook his head and sighed repeatedly
He ground his teeth in frustration
His eyes turned red with fury
His complexion changed due to sudden, ominous grief
Understanding King Dasharatha's state of mind, Sumantra began to speak. His words were sharp, piercing Kaikeyi's heart like arrows and cutting her to the quick like thunderbolts.
Sumantra's rebuke highlighted Kaikeyi's actions and their consequences:
"O Kaikeyi, you have forsaken King Dasharatha, your husband and the lord of this entire world, both movable and immovable. There seems to be nothing you're incapable of doing. I consider you not only a husband-killer but also a destroyer of your own race.
King Dasharatha is as invincible as Indra (the king of gods), as unshakeable as a mountain, and as unperturbable as the ocean. Yet, you cause him grief through your actions. Do not insult Dasharatha, your husband, nourisher, and bestower of boons. For a wife, the desire of her husband is considered more valuable than ten million sons."
Sumantra explained the traditional succession process and the consequences of Kaikeyi's actions:
"Traditionally, after a king's death, princes inherit the kingdom according to seniority. Why do you wish to break this tradition in the case of Rama, the lord of the Ikshvaku dynasty? Let your son Bharata be king and rule the earth if you insist. But know that all of us will go wherever Rama goes.
By your actions, you're transgressing the bounds of tradition. No Brahmin (member of the priestly class) will ever dwell in your country. We will all certainly follow the path taken by Rama. Abandoned by relatives, Brahmins, and virtuous men for all time, what pleasure will you derive from your lust for the kingdom? O Kaikeyi, why do you intend to transgress the limits of honor?"
Sumantra used a parable to illustrate Kaikeyi's nature:
If someone cuts down a mango tree and grows a nimba (neem) tree in its place
Even if they water it with milk, it will never become sweet
Similarly, Kaikeyi's nature seems to be like that of her mother
As the saying goes, "Honey will not flow from a nimba tree"
Sumantra recounted a story about Kaikeyi's parents to further illustrate his point:
Kaikeyi's father received a boon to understand the language of all living beings.
One day, he laughed at something an ant or bird said near his bed.
Kaikeyi's mother demanded to know the reason for his laughter.
The king explained that revealing the secret would result in his immediate death.
Despite this, Kaikeyi's mother insisted on knowing.
The bestower of the boon advised the king not to disclose the secret.
The king dismissed Kaikeyi's mother and lived freely afterward.
Sumantra appealed to Kaikeyi to reconsider her actions:
"O evil-minded one, like your mother, you too are following the path of wickedness, forcing the king, who is infatuated with you, to act unrighteously. The saying that 'sons resemble the father and daughters the mother' appears true today.
Do not be like your mother. Accept what the king says. Abide by his wishes. Be a savior to these people. Do not attribute unrighteousness to your husband, who is equal to Indra in brilliance and is the sustainer of this world.
The sinless, prosperous, lotus-eyed King Dasharatha will not break his promise to you. Let his eldest son Rama, who is valiant, generous, skillful, dutiful, and the protector of all beings, be consecrated as king. If Rama goes to the forest, leaving his father, you will be greatly blamed by the people of this world.
Therefore, let Rama protect this kingdom. Be relieved of your mental afflictions. There is no other person in this excellent city more competent than Rama to rule this kingdom. If Rama is installed as heir-apparent, King Dasharatha, the great archer, will retire to the forest to carry out austerities, following ancient customs."
Despite Sumantra's impassioned rebuke, Kaikeyi remained unmoved:
She was unperturbed by his words, both gentle and sharp
She showed no signs of regret or sorrow
There was no change in the expression on her face
This concludes the thirty fifth chapter (sarga) of Ayodhyakanda, the second book of the Ramayana, the great epic composed by the sage Valmiki.