Rama meets Kaikeyi

Kaikeyi was not sure how to react. She had decided that if Rama did not address her, she would kill her self. She created a sweet full of poison and kept it beside her. If Rama did not come to her, she would consume that.
Rama went to see Kaikeyi. She was sitting on the ground. Rama bowed down to her. He said I had to face many hardships, Mother, but with your blessings I was able to overcome them all successfully.
Kaikeyi said You went to the forest as part of your destiny, and the wold blames me for this.
Rama spoke to Kaikeyi and tried to console her. It is not your fault , mother - he said - this was destiny. I was able to kill many rakshasas. I realized the love that Lakshmana has for me. I realized that Sita is pure in heart and soul. It all because of you. I have all learnt how to rule a king.
Kaikeyi was quiet. Rama stayed with Kaikeyi, talking to her. 

Bharata hears of the death of the king

Bharata suddenly got up. He was in his uncle's house. It was the middle of the night and he had had a bad dream.
When it was early morning, Bharata came out of his room and sat outside. People came to him asking him what had happened.
He said he had a dream where the Sun and Moon were both falling from the sky. An old man came and said Rama, Lakshmana and Sita had gone to the forests. Dashratha was lying dead in a tub full of oil.

Having seen this, Bharata was very disturbed. The people around said it was just a bad dream and he should ignore it.They also asked him to worship the Gods and distribute alms among brahamans and the poor.
Bharata had a bath and sat for his worship. He then distributed all his wealth among the needy.
His mind was still not calm. He went to the court and sat next to his grandfather.

When Bharata went there, a messenger arrived saying Bharata was needed in Ayodhya. Bharata then thought that his father wanted to see him. Which meant that the dreams were just false indications. Bharata then asked how all were, to which the messenger said all was well, it was just that Bharata was needed urgently in Ayodhya.

Bharata and Shatrughna both got ready. When they arrived in Ayodhya they saw the people all sad. When they saw Bharata they tried to avoid him. Wondering what was the matter, Bharata went to the rooms of his father but did not see him. Dashratha had died in Kaushalya's quarter and thus his body was there.
Bharata then went to look for his mother. Kaikeyi was sitting on a grand throne thinking of the day when Bharata would be king. When Bharata came and bent down before her, she got up and kissed his forehead. She wanted to know how people were in her household. Bharata said all was well.He then said I have answered your question, now answer me. Why are people avoiding me?

What people had been hesitating to tell Bharata, Kaikeyi told him. As a banana tree falls when cut in one stroke, thus Bharata fell on the floor. Kaikeyi said no where was it written that the parents had to live for ever. Bharata then asked where Rama and Lakshmana were? He also wanted to know why she was not grieving for her husband?

Kaikeyi kept telling Bharata about how she had sent Rama to the forest and that Lakshmana and Sita had gone along also.

As one feels when deeply wounded, Bharata started howling. He said to Kaikeyi , You talk as if nothing has happened. How can a younger one takeover the kingdom with the elder one being alive? Is this what your parents had taught you? You are a female rakshasha who was there to destroy everything. It was because of some sins committed that I was born as your son. I feel like like cutting off your head as Parashurama had cut off his mother's head.

Seeing Bharata speak thus, Kaikeyi fled. She said all that had happened was because she cared for him.

Having heard from his mother, Shatrughna came to Kaikeyi's room and both brothers started crying again. Then they went in search of Manthara.

Rama hears from Kaikeyi

Kaikeyi said I knew this was bound to happen. All promises that you make are just words. When it comes to keeping a promise, you do not keep your work. Yayati was a great king married to Devyani. Though he had sons from Devyani, he gave his kingdom to his youngest son. There was a king called Shibi who had donated his eyes to a brahman. In the Ikshavaku dynasty there was a king by that name. He gave away his kingdom to his younger brother.
You promised me two promises and I asked for those. Now why do you try to go back?

Dashratha was on the floor, body covered with dust. He said the preliminary work of crowning Rama was done, and all were aware of the event.

In the court, people were waiting for the king to come. They asked Sumantra to go and fetch the king. He found the king in Kaikeyi's room, lying on the floor. He asked Dashratha to get up and go for the crowning.

The king said it was because of Kaikeyi that he was in this condition. He told Sumantra to go and immediately fetch Rama.

Sumantra went where Rama was and asked him to accompany him. Rama agreed to go. Before leaving he spoke to Sita. He said he was suspecting Kaikeyi of having said something about kingdom and he becoming king. He said, he would sort that and come back as soon as he could.

Lakshmana came along with Rama. The people gathered to see Rama.

Reaching the place where Dashratha was, Rama asked Lakshmana to remain outside while he decided to go and see what was the matter.

He saw Dashratha lying on the floor and Kaikeyi sitting near him. He wanted to know what was the matter. He said he was guessing that Bharata and Shatrughna were not there and he was missing them, and probably that is why he was quiet. He asked Kaikeyi to tell him what was the matter.

Kaikeyi, in a cold tone, told Rama about the two boons that the king had given her and what she had asked.

Rama said this was nothing. All Kaikeyi had to do was tell him, and he would happily go off to the forests. There was no point in hurting the king. Bharata would make a good king.

Kaikeyi said Bharata could become king only when Rama left. She asked him to leave for the forest at the earliest.

The king was speechless, his head bent in shame.

Kaikeyi asks the king to fulfill her promises

Manthara said , do not delay. Change your dress and do as I told you earlier.The king will come to you soon, so be ready.
Hearing the words, the queen took off her ornaments. She changed into old clothes and lay down on the floor.

Dashratha wanted to tell Kaikeyi about Rama to be made king. He made his way towards her rooms. Seeing her in a bad condition, the king was deeply hurt. Slowly he asked her what was the matter.
Kaikeyi did not reply.
The king said I am scared like the deer in the forest when it spots a tiger. What is the matter with you? If you are unwell, let me know. The best of the physicians will come and attend to you. Let me know what ails you, and that will be given to you.

Hearing this Kaikeyi started reminding him of the two promises he had made. She said she was well and would be asking for something, only when the king had promised her that what she wanted would be given to her.

The king said he was promising that whatever she wanted would be given to her.

Kaikeyi then said that all Gods and guardians of all directions be witness to what the king just said. She told the king about the two promises - when she had tended to him after a war, and how she had nursed him when he had a septic finger. She said would be asking for those now. With the first she wanted Bharata to be made king, with the second sending Rama to the forests for fourteen years.

The king collapsed. Collecting himself, he said if Rama goes, I will die. Rama is my life. What kind of wife are you, that wants her husband's death. If Bharata hears this, he will either kill himself or kill you. You are killing me before my time has come. I fall at your feet and beg for my life.

The king fell at Kaikeyi's feet.
He said as soon as it is dawn, kings will come to see Rama being made king. Rama is the crown prince now and in the morning he will be made king. 

Kaikeyi and Manthara

She asked Kaikeyi why she was relaxing when her whole world was collapsing. Rama was to made king and Bharata was being ignored. Ask the king to banish Rama. If Bharata is made king, you will have all, now you will get nothing.

Kaikeyi said Rama was just and truthful. Why should she just send Rama away when there was no reason for that? Rama always respected her.The law said the eldest son would rule, and Dashratha was following that principle. Rama would treat Bharata like a king.

Kaikeyi felt very happy that Rama would be king. She wanted to gift something to Manthara for bringing the news to her. She took off an ornament from her body and gave it to Manthara.

Manthara flung the ornament away and with her eyes red with rage, she started speaking.

I have been trying to tell you something that is good for you, and instead of listening to me, you are telling the opposite of that. Kaushalya, cunningly has ensured that her son gets the crown. That would imply that Kaikeyi would become Kaushalya's maid. Why else was this being planned when Bharata was not there, but was visiting your brother. I do not blame the king, he has been brainwashed by Kaushalya.

Rama and Lakshmana will rule and Bharata will get nothing. Bharata, hearing this, will not come back as you have taken away his right, as the son of the king's favorite queen. Think of a way to send Rama into the forest and make Bharata the king.


Hearing the words of Manthara, Kaikeyi was swayed. The words seemed to make sense to her.

She said you wish me well. I never realized that Rama was cunning. With Bharata away, Rama would be crowned king. Dashratha lived and breathes Rama. If Rama goes away, the king will die. Think of a way in which Rama is not banished, but is not given the kingdom. Maybe the kingdom should be divided among the four brothers, and each takes a part and rules it.

Manthara said if you want a way to achieve your way, I can give you an idea. Years ago, the king had promised to give you anything you wanted. You have two of those promises pending. Use those and ask the king to fulfill those wishes of yours. You do not have time, anytime soon, Rama would be crowned king.
Change your dress, and wear rags. Throw off your ornaments, and lie on the ground.When the king asks for the reason, do not say anything, just keep crying. Tell the king later and remind him of the two promises. Tell him to first swear that he will fulfill those. With the first ask Bharata to be crowned king, and with the second ask for Rama to be sent to the forest for fourteen years.


When Kaikeyi was small, she had, in ignorance, taunted a sage. The sage had cursed her saying the whole world would curse her.

Kaikeyi hugged Manthara and said she would have a bath only once the king promised her that Bharata would be king.

Hearing this Mantha was elated.

Kaikeyi nurses Dashratha

The king returned to his kingdom. He went to see Kaikeyi, who was a beloved of his. Kaikeyi also knew the Sanjivani matra. The king had been wounded in the battle with the asura and Kaikeyi trated his wounds with the mantra.

The king said, O Queen, you have helped me relive my paid. Ask for a boon.

Kaikeyi went to Manthra and asked for her advise. Manthra asked the queen to tell the king that she would ask for the boon later.

Kaikeyi told the king the same, and he agreed.

Once the king's nail became septic. He was in pain with blood and pus oozing out. The physician said if some sucked out the pus, he would be cured. Kaikeyi agreed to do that, and she sucked out the pus and spat that out. The king relieved asked her to ask for something. She said she would ask for it, when time came.

Kaikeyi

In the land of Giriraj ruled the king Kekya. He had a beautiful daughter called Kaikeyi. When she was of marriageable age, ther father wanted a suitable husband. He decided to hold a Swayamvar where the girl would choose her husband. He sent out messages all over, inviting eligible kings.

A messenger came to Ayodhya. Seeing a brahman messenger, Dashratha welcomed him.The messenger said he had from the land of Giriraj inviting Dashratha for the swayamvar of princess Kaikeyi. Dashratha agreed to attend the same and set off for Giriraj.

In the assembly hall, all invited kings were seated when Dashratha entered. Soon after Kaikey entered the hall. It was as if the goddess of beauty was there. The kings were reminded of Indumati, who had been snatched off by Aja, father of Dashratha.

The maiden looked at all the kings and stopped where Dashratha was sitting. She put her garland around Dashratha. The other kings did not know how to react.

The king if Giriraj gave away his daughter with all rites. Along with Kaikeyi, Dashratha also got back Manthara, a hunchbacked hand maid of Kaikeyi. All together came back to Ayodhya.