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Page 4:  Sarg 10-12

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Sarg 10-Dasharath Goes to Kaikeyee

So taught by Mantharaa Kaikeyee went to her Kop Bhavan and lay down there after throwing her valuable jewelry. She explained everything to Mantharaa as what is to be done. 

Raajaa Dasharath sent Vashishth Jee to collect all the materials for the coronation ceremony and asked the permission to leave the court. He himself went to queens to inform them about this good news. First of all he went to Kaikeyee's palace which was very beautiful and full of all kinds of comforts. It looked like Swarg. Raajaa didn't see Kaikeyee on her bed so he got worried. He asked her maidservants about her. One of them said - "She ran towards her Kop Bhavan in anger." Hearing this Raajaa got more worried and sad.

He went there and saw Kaikeyee. She looked like an uprooted creeper or like a fallen angel. He touched her affectionately He said - "Priya, Why are you angry with me? Or somebody has insulted you, tell me; who has offended you, or if you want me to do something for you, then also tell me, I will do it. If you want I can kill a person who is exempted from death and save a person who is condemned to death. I keep my oath on my righteousness. I will certainly do whatever you like me to do." 

Hearing this Kaikeyee got consoled and got courage to tell her mind. Still she kept quiet and Raajaa got more sad because of her being quiet.

Sarg 11-Kaikeyee Asks For Two Var

When Raajaa Dasharath crossed the limit of his patience, Kaikeyee said - "Neither has anybody insulted me, nor has anybody made me angry, but if you keep your words to fulfill my wish then I want to say something. If you agree on that then vow and convince me and promise me." Dasharath laughed a little. He spoke caressing her hair - "Don't you know that leave Raam, I don't love anybody else more than you? Raam is very dear to me therefore I vow on Raam that I will fulfill your wish. Tell me what is in your mind and what do you want? I can't live without seeing Raam, I take vow on the same Raam and promise to fulfill your wish."

Kaikeyee got happy when Raajaa vowed on Raam and she expressed her evil desire as conveying the suddenly befallen death. She said - "Let 33 Devtaa along with Agni Dev hear your words; Sun, Moon, sky, planets, night, the four directions, Prithvi, celestials, Raakshas, spirits wandering in nights, Grih Devtaa (house gods) are witness to them and whoever else have heard them, they are also witness that Mahaa Raaj gave me Var. You remember when you fought with Raakshas and you were wounded, then I saved your life and in return of that you gave me two Var, and I told you that whenever I will want them, I will ask for them, and you agreed upon that?

So I ask you those two Var today, and if you did not give them to me today, I will commit suicide. Listen to them now - All arrangements have been made to coronate Raam but I want that Bharat, instead of Raam, should be crowned and in second Var send Raam to Dandak Van for 14 years in the form of Tapaswee - Jataa (matted hair), deer skin. So give me these two Var. You yourself say that to get the happiness in other world, one has to speak truth."

Sarg 12-Dasharath Tries to Pacify Kaikeyee

Hearing Kaikeyee's words, Raajaa Dasharath got worried and then became unconscious for a few moments. He repeatedly remembered Kaikeyee's words and then got nconscious again. After some time when he gained consciousness, he said - "O sordid destroyer of Kul, Tell me the fault of Raam or me so that you are so hard on Him. He always serves you as He serves His own mother, then why do you want to harm Him? For what offence do I have to forsake Him when the whole world is praising Him?

I will die without seeing Raam. The world can exist without Sun, or crop without water but I cannot survive without Raam. Please leave this idea, I touch your feet. O sinful woman, If I have any unkindly feeling towards Bharat, then resolve that but why do you talk about Raam? You have never behave in such a way before that is why I can't believe that it is you who is speaking like thus.

How can you take delight in sending tender-bodied Raam to such a dreadful forest for 14 years?  In fact who else can serve you better than Raam? Raam has all qualities, such as truthfulness, charity, austerity, sacrifice, straightforwardness. Please be merciful to me - the old feeble, miserable man. Whatever can be attained from Prithvi, I can give to you."

Kaikeyee again spoke fierce words - "Hey Raajan, If you repent again and again then how will you proclaim piety on Prithvi? When many royal saints will ask you what will be your reply? You have granted the boons today, now you are talking in another way. Raajaa Shibi offered his own flesh to save the pigeon from hawk, and Raajaa Alark gave his eyes to keep his promise. By installing Raam as Crown prince you want to enjoy life with Kaushalyaa for ever? Whether it is righteous or unrighteous, there is no change in whatever you have promised to me. If Raam is coronated then I will drink poison before your eyes."

Hearing all this Raajaa couldn't move his lips, but just gazed towards Kaikeyee without blinking his eyes.  He fell down like a cut tree and lost his senses. After a while he spoke - "Who gave you this terrible idea? I never saw you like this before. From whom you have picked up this idea that Bharat should be coronated and Raam should go to forest? If you love your husband and Bharat then just drop this idea of sending Raam to Van.

Without Raam, Bharat will not take this kingdom at all, as far as I know him, because he is stronger in virtue than even Raam. What these kings ho have come from all directions will talk about me, that "a foolish Raajaa was ruling for such a long time?" When many virtuous leaders will ask me about Raam what shall I tell them? If I will speak the truth that I sent Raam because of Kaikeyee, nobody will believe me. Alas, seeing Ram living in Van Seetaa will also lament and I also will not have a desire to live. You want to rule this kingdom with Bharat as a widow, because I am not going to live without Raam? Oh, I am getting these troubles because of some sins of my previous lives.

When the time came for Raam to enjoy, He will have to go to forest. My son Raam will never say a second word to me to go to forest, He will just say "Be it so". After Raam had gone to forest I would die condemned by all men. Raam will go to forest and I will die, what more sinful act you can do? Seeing Raam in forest, myself dead, Kaushalyaa and Sumitraa will also follow me along with their three sons. You be happy.

If Bharat also wants to send Raam to forest then let him not perform my last rites after my death. O wicked woman, When Raam has gone to forest, I will be dead, then you whose terrific thoughts are demanding Raam's exile and Bharat's coronation as king, rule this Prithvi with your son. Life may exist without Sun or rain but no person can survive seeing Raam going to Van. Do not act like this, have pity on me." And Dasharath fell down on the ground.

 

 

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Created by Sushma Gupta on 5/27/03
Contact:  sushmajee@yahoo.com
Updated on 01/15/13