Kaikeyi Begins to Believe She Will Be Cast Aside
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 19
Doha 19 · Movement 1 of 2
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Under fate's pressure, conviction begins taking root. Kaikeyi makes Manthara swear again, and the maid answers that even animals recognize benefit and harm while the queen has ignored weeks of preparation.
The secrecy of the ceremony is exaggerated, Bharata's absence becomes proof, and God is invoked as witness to the lie. If Ram is crowned tomorrow, Manthara declares, the seed of Kaikeyi's ruin will sprout.
She draws an absolute line: mother and son must accept servitude or lose their place in the house. The queen who was loved by every member of the family is made to imagine herself as refuse fallen into milk. Fear now supplies the future before reality can speak.
A line drawn in words makes Kaikeyi imagine exile within the very home that still loves her.
Read the passage from the Manas
भावी बस प्रतीति उर आई। पूँछ रानि पुनि सपथ देवाई।। का पूछहुँ तुम्ह अबहुँ न जाना। निज हित अनहित पसु पहिचाना।। भयउ पाखु दिन सजत समाजू। तुम्ह पाई सुधि मोहि सन आजू।। खाइअ पहिरिअ राज तुम्हारें। सत्य कहें नहिं दोषु हमारें।। जौं असत्य कछु कहब बनाई। तौ बिधि देइहि हमहि सजाई।। रामहि तिलक कालि जौं भयऊ। तुम्ह कहुँ बिपति बीजु बिधि बयऊ।। रेख खँचाइ कहउँ बलु भाषी। भामिनि भइहु दूध कइ माखी।। जौं सुत सहित करहु सेवकाई। तौ घर रहहु न आन उपाई।।
Overpowered by fate, conviction took root in her heart. The queen asked again, making Manthara swear an oath. Why do you ask when even now you do not understand? Even animals recognize what helps or harms them. A full fortnight has passed in preparation for the ceremony, and only today have you come to me seeking news. You eat and dress at the pleasure of your royal household. I speak the truth; there is no fault on our part. If I speak any falsehood or fabrication, then God himself will punish me. If Rama's coronation takes place tomorrow, Providence has sown the very seed of your ruin. I draw a line and speak with all my strength: O proud lady, you will become like a fly fallen into milk. If you and your son agree to live as servants, then you may remain in this house. There is no other way.