Kaikeyi Masks Deceit with a Mother's Affection
Ayodhya Kanda, Chaupai 43
Doha 43 · Movement 1 of 2
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Seeing Ram agreeable, Kaikeyi is inwardly delighted. She covers deceit with maternal warmth and swears by Ram and Bharata that no hidden motive exists.
Ram is faultless, the giver of happiness to parents and brothers, and wholly devoted to their word. Therefore, she says, he must persuade Dasharatha to avoid dishonour in old age.
A foul mouth produces unexpectedly auspicious words, like a sacred place appearing in unlikely ground. Ram receives every statement as beautifully as streams become pure upon joining Ganga. His own nature does not imitate the impurity of the source; it carries what is spoken into the river of dharma.
Even deceitful words enter Ram's hearing like troubled streams becoming clear within the Ganga.
Read the passage from the Manas
रहसी रानि राम रुख पाई। बोली कपट सनेहु जनाई।। सपथ तुम्हार भरत कै आना। हेतु न दूसर मै कछु जाना।। तुम्ह अपराध जोगु नहिं ताता। जननी जनक बंधु सुखदाता।। राम सत्य सबु जो कछु कहहू। तुम्ह पितु मातु बचन रत अहहू।। पितहि बुझाइ कहहु बलि सोई। चौथेंपन जेहिं अजसु न होई।। तुम्ह सम सुअन सुकृत जेहिं दीन्हे। उचित न तासु निरादरु कीन्हे।। लागहिं कुमुख बचन सुभ कैसे। मगहँ गयादिक तीरथ जैसे।। रामहि मातु बचन सब भाए। जिमि सुरसरि गत सलिल सुहाए।।
Seeing Rama's agreeable nature, the queen was inwardly delighted. She spoke with feigned affection, masking her kapat (deceit). I swear by you and by Bharata: I know no other reason, no other motive. You are incapable of any fault, dear Taata (son). You are the giver of happiness to mother, father, and brothers. Rama, whatever you say is all true, for you are devoted heart and soul to your parents' words. Persuade your father, and speak only that which will not bring him ajasu (dishonor) in his old age. One whose good deeds earned a son like you deserves honor, not disregard. How can auspicious words arise from a kumukh (foul mouth)? It is like sacred teertha (pilgrimage places) such as Gaya appearing in the land of Magadha. All of his mother's words pleased Rama, just as every stream that joins the Surasari (Ganga) becomes beautiful.