Kausalya Stands Mute after Hearing the Cause
Ayodhya Kanda, Doha 54
Doha 54 · Movement 2 of 2
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The minister's son reads Ram's expression and understands that the prince will not unfold the painful cause himself. Carefully he explains the boons, the oath, and Kaikeyi's demand.
Kausalya hears the complete account. Question, suspicion, and hope collapse into knowledge, but no immediate word rises to meet it.
She stands mute in a condition beyond description. Speech would have to choose among husband, son, co-wife, dharma, grief, and the future of the kingdom, while all strike the heart at once. Silence becomes the only space large enough to hold the blow.
When the whole truth enters, Kausalya's voice disappears into a grief too crowded for words.
Read the passage from the Manas
निरखि राम रुख सचिवसुत कारनु कहेउ बुझाइ। सुनि प्रसंगु रहि मूक जिमि दसा बरनि नहिं जाइ।।54।।
Reading Rama's expression, the minister's son explained the cause with care. Hearing the full account, Kausalya stood mute. Her condition was beyond all description.