Dasharatha Foresees Kaikeyi's Endless Remorse
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 36
Doha 36 · Movement 1 of 2
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Dasharatha insists that Bharata never desired the throne. Wicked counsel has entered Kaikeyi only through fate and the fruit of the king's own sins.
He sees beyond the night: Ram will return and make Ayodhya blessed, the brothers will serve him in love, and his glory will fill the three worlds. Yet Kaikeyi's stain and Dasharatha's remorse will not vanish even in death.
The king asks her to cover her face, leave his sight, and never speak to him again while he breathes. In the end she will repent, having destroyed the living source for the sake of its outer possession. His prophecy separates Ram's enduring radiance from the shame created around it.
Dasharatha sees Ram's glory outlasting the night, but also a remorse no death will erase.
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चहत न भरत भूपतहि भोरें। बिधि बस कुमति बसी जिय तोरें।। सो सबु मोर पाप परिनामू। भयउ कुठाहर जेहिं बिधि बामू।। सुबस बसिहि फिरि अवध सुहाई। सब गुन धाम राम प्रभुताई।। करिहहिं भाइ सकल सेवकाई। होइहि तिहुँ पुर राम बड़ाई।। तोर कलंकु मोर पछिताऊ। मुएहुँ न मिटहि न जाइहि काऊ।। अब तोहि नीक लाग करु सोई। लोचन ओट बैठु मुहु गोई।। जब लगि जिऔं कहउँ कर जोरी। तब लगि जनि कछु कहसि बहोरी।। फिरि पछितैहसि अंत अभागी। मारसि गाइ नहारु लागी।।
Bharata never desired the throne, not even by accident, O king. By fate's power, wicked counsel has lodged itself in your heart. All of this is the fruit of my own sins, through which destiny itself has turned against us. Beautiful Ayodhya will once again be blessed by Rama's presence, for he is the home of every virtue and sovereign glory. All his brothers will serve him with devotion, and Rama's greatness will shine through all three worlds. Your stain and my remorse will not be erased even by death; they will never fade away. Now do as you see fit. Cover your face and sit beyond my sight. As long as I draw breath, I say with folded hands: do not speak a single word to me again. In the end you will repent, O wretched one. You have slaughtered the cow for the sake of its hide.'