Lakṣmaṇa, mighty of arm, was entirely devoted to Rāma, just as Śatrughna was devoted to Bharata, mirroring the deep loyalty between brothers. Yet, O lovely one, though by the natural order of succession the throne should have gone to Bharata, it was instead assigned to Rāma and Lakṣmaṇa, both younger than he. How fortunate is Kausalyā! For tomorrow, under the auspicious Pushya constellation, her son Rāma will be consecrated as crown prince by the foremost of Brāhmaṇas. When the earth rejoices and peace prevails, you will serve Kausalyā with joined palms, like a devoted attendant. Together with us, you too will become her servant, and your own son will serve Rāma. Rāma’s chief wives will surely be delighted, but your daughters-in-law will not rejoice at Bharata’s fall from favor. As Mantharā spoke these words, filled with satisfaction, Queen Kaikeyī responded—not with concern, but by praising Rāma’s virtues alone. She said, “Rāma, the eldest son of the king, is righteous, virtuous, self-controlled, grateful, truthful, and pure. Surely, he is worthy of the succession. He will protect his brothers and servants as a father would. Why, O hunchback, are you troubled at Rāma’s consecration? In time, after a hundred years, Bharata too will inherit the kingdom from Rāma, handed down from father and grandfather. So when prosperity and happiness are at hand, why do you grieve, Mantharā, and burn within at this good fortune? “Bharata is honored, and so is Rāghava, even more so. Besides Kausalyā, Rāma serves me greatly. If the kingdom is Rāma’s, it is also Bharata’s, for Rāghava regards his brothers as himself.” Hearing these words, Mantharā grew deeply distressed. She sighed long and hot, then spoke to Kaikeyī: “In your foolishness, you do not see the misfortune before you, nor do you understand your own plight, sinking as you are into a sea of sorrow and calamity. Rāghava will become king, and his son after him; but Bharata, O Kaikeyī, will be cast aside from the royal line. Not all the king’s sons remain in the kingdom; if all were installed, there would be great disorder. That is why kings always entrust the kingdom to the eldest, even if the others are virtuous. “Your son will be utterly broken, like one orphaned, deprived of comforts and the royal lineage, O affectionate one. I have come here for your sake, but you do not recognize my loyalty. You ought to reward me for seeking your advantage over your co-wife. When Rāma obtains the unchallenged kingdom, he will surely send Bharata to a distant land—or even to another world. “You did not keep young Bharata near his maternal uncle; closeness breeds affection, even among the immovable. Because of Bharata, Śatrughna too has become just like him; just as Lakṣmaṇa follows Rāma, so does Śatrughna follow Bharata. It is said that a tree marked for felling by forest dwellers is stripped of its branches by arrows, out of fear, because of its nearness. “Rāma will surely protect Lakṣmaṇa; their brotherhood is renowned in the world, like that of the divine Aśvins. Therefore, Rāma will never harm Lakṣmaṇa. But against Bharata, Rāma might indeed act—of this there is no doubt. So let Rāghava go to the forest from the royal palace; this pleases me and is greatly beneficial for you. In this way, your family’s welfare will be secured, if Bharata obtains the ancestral kingdom as is right. “That boy, used to comfort, is a natural enemy of Rāma; how will he, deprived of prosperity, live under the control of one who has everything? Just as a leader of elephants is driven away in the forest by a lion, so must you protect Bharata, who is being overshadowed by Rāma. Once, in your pride, you rejected Rāma’s mother, your co-wife; how will she not harbor enmity toward you? When Rāma gains the earth adorned with treasures and mountains, you and the sorrowful Bharata will suffer misfortune and defeat. When Rāma gains the earth, Bharata will surely be lost. Consider, therefore, the kingdom for your own son, and the reason for the other’s exile.” Let the ninth chapter now be heard. Thus addressed, Kaikeyī’s face blazed with anger. She exhaled a long, hot breath and said to Mantharā, “Today I will quickly send Rāma away to the forest, and I will swiftly anoint Bharata as crown prince. Now tell me how I might accomplish this, so that Bharata obtains the kingdom and Rāma does not, by any means.” So urged by the queen, Mantharā, ever scheming evil against Rāma, responded, “Now, Kaikeyī, listen carefully to my words, so that your son Bharata alone will obtain the kingdom. Why do you not remember, Kaikeyī—or if you do, why do you conceal it—when you wish to hear from me something that concerns your own interest?