Kaikeyi Rises Smiling after Ram's Name Is Sworn
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 26
Doha 26 · Movement 2 of 2
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Kaikeyi weighs the great oath in her mind. The pledge upon Ram has given the king's promise the unbreakable force Manthara required.
She rises with a smile and begins adorning herself again. Ornaments return to the body that moments earlier lay abandoned upon the ground.
The doha compares her to a huntress preparing a snare after sighting the deer. Beauty, smile, and adornment no longer express reconciliation; they conceal the poised demand. Her purpose remains hidden from him. Dasharatha sees the beloved restored while the reader sees the hunter readying the cord.
Jewels return to Kaikeyi's body as the hidden snare tightens around the king's pledged word.
Read the passage from the Manas
यह सुनि मन गुनि सपथ बड़ि बिहसि उठी मतिमंद। भूषन सजति बिलोकि मृगु मनहुँ किरातिनि फंद।।26।।
Hearing this, weighing in her mind the great oath he had sworn, the foolish woman rose with a smile. She began adorning herself with ornaments, like a huntress setting a snare, having spotted the deer.