Dasharatha Clings to Kaikeyi's Feet
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 34
Doha 34 · Movement 1 of 2
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Kaikeyi rises like a river of rage breaking its banks. The boons form hard shores, stubborn resolve drives the current, and Manthara's counsel spins within it like a treacherous whirlpool.
Dasharatha sees calamity rushing toward the great tree of his life. He grasps Kaikeyi's feet, seats her again, and begs her not to become an axe against the solar dynasty.
Take his head now, he pleads, but do not kill him through separation from Ram. Keep Ram in Ayodhya by any means, or his heart will burn as long as life remains. The crowned king kneels below the queen, offering death in exchange for presence.
At Kaikeyi's feet, Dasharatha offers his head if only Ram may remain within sight.
Read the passage from the Manas
अस कहि कुटिल भई उठि ठाढ़ी। मानहुँ रोष तरंगिनि बाढ़ी।। पाप पहार प्रगट भइ सोई। भरी क्रोध जल जाइ न जोई।। दोउ बर कूल कठिन हठ धारा। भवँर कूबरी बचन प्रचारा।। ढाहत भूपरूप तरु मूला। चली बिपति बारिधि अनुकूला।। लखी नरेस बात फुरि साँची। तिय मिस मीचु सीस पर नाची।। गहि पद बिनय कीन्ह बैठारी। जनि दिनकर कुल होसि कुठारी।। मागु माथ अबहीं देउँ तोही। राम बिरहँ जनि मारसि मोही।। राखु राम कहुँ जेहि तेहि भाँती। नाहिं त जरिहि जनम भरि छाती।।
Saying this, the wicked Kaikeyi rose and stood defiantly, like a river of rage swelling beyond its banks. She appeared as a mountain of sin made visible, brimming with the waters of wrath, terrible to behold. Her two boons formed the hard banks, her stubborn resolve the current, and Manthara's words the treacherous whirlpool. This torrent of calamity flowed straight toward uprooting the great tree that was the king. The king saw that his own words had come horribly true. Death was dancing on his head in the guise of a woman. Grasping her feet, he pleaded humbly and seated her again: 'Do not become an axe to the Solar Dynasty.' 'Ask for my head this very moment and I will give it to you. Only do not slay me with separation from Rama.' 'Keep Rama here by whatever means you can. Otherwise my heart will burn for as long as I live.'