Mantharā, with her cunning mind, spoke urgently to Queen Kaikeyī, saying, “Let Rāghava be sent from the royal palace to the forest. This pleases me, and it will be greatly beneficial for you. If Bharata, your son, gains the ancestral kingdom in accordance with righteousness, the welfare of your family will be secured. That boy, accustomed to comfort, is naturally opposed to Rāma; how will he, deprived of prosperity, live under the authority of one who possesses everything? Just as a leader of elephants is chased in the forest by a lion, so you must protect Bharata, who is being overshadowed by Rāma. “Once, in your pride over good fortune, 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, gentle lady, will suffer misfortune and defeat, along with the sorrowful Bharata. If Rāma is crowned, Bharata will surely be lost. Therefore, consider the kingdom for your own son and the reason for the other’s exile.” At this, Kaikeyī’s face blazed with anger. She exhaled a long, hot breath and declared to Mantharā, “Today, I will quickly send Rāma away to the forest and swiftly anoint Bharata for the princely succession. Now, consider how I might accomplish this, so that Bharata obtains the kingdom and Rāma does not, by any means.” Mantharā, intent on harming Rāma and seeing evil, replied, “Kaikeyī, observe carefully and listen to my words, so that your son Bharata alone will obtain the kingdom. Why do you not remember, or if you do, why do you conceal it, when you wish to hear from me something that concerns your own interest? If you wish to hear what I am about to say, then listen; I will tell you, and having heard, you should act accordingly.” Hearing these words, Kaikeyī rose a little from her well-spread bed and spoke as follows. Mantharā continued, “Long ago, in the war between the gods and demons, your husband, King Daśaratha, along with the royal sages, took you with him to assist the lord of the gods. You traveled south toward Daṇḍaka, to the city called Vaijayantam, where the banner of the shark was raised. There, the great demon Śambara, master of a hundred magical illusions, fought Indra in battle and was undefeated by the hosts of gods. “In that great battle, the demons, having driven away the men, would kill the wounded and sleeping at night with force. There, King Daśaratha fought fiercely against the demons, his mighty arms shattered by weapons. O queen, you carried your unconscious husband from the battlefield, protecting him even as he lay wounded. “Pleased, he granted you two boons, O beautiful one, saying, ‘Whenever you wish, you may claim them.’ At that time, you replied, ‘I will accept them when I desire,’ and your great-souled husband agreed. I was unaware of this until you told me before. “Out of affection for you, I have kept this story in my mind. Now, prevent the preparations for Rāma’s consecration and turn them back. Ask your husband for these two boons: the anointing of Bharata and the exile of Rāma for fourteen years. For fourteen years, while Rāma dwells in the forest, your son, steadfast in the people’s affection, will become firmly established. “Today, enter the chamber of anger, as if enraged with the king, and remain hidden there on the ground, wearing soiled garments. Do not look upon him, nor speak to him. When the king, longing for you and filled with sorrow, comes to you, remain weeping but do not address him. “You are always dear to your husband—of this I have no doubt. For your sake, the great king would even enter the fire. He is not able to become angry with you, nor to look upon you when you are angry; for your sake, the king would even give up his life. The king cannot transgress your word; understand, with your simple nature, the power of your own good fortune. “King Daśaratha would give you pearls, gems, gold, and various jewels; do not set your heart on these. Those two boons which Daśaratha granted you in the battle between gods and demons—remind him of them, O noble lady; that promise must not be broken. “When Rāghava himself raises you up and the great king is present, then choose this boon. Let Rāma’s exile be for fourteen years—nine and five—and let Bharata be made king on earth, O bull among kings. For fourteen years while Rāma dwells in the forest, your son will grow strong, take root, and remain established. “O queen, ask for this boon—the exile of Rāma; thus, all your son’s desires will be fulfilled. With Rāma exiled, he will no longer be Rāma, and Bharata, free from enemies, will become king for you.” Thus, Mantharā guided Kaikeyī, setting the stage for the fateful events to come, as the queen listened and prepared to act upon this counsel, determined to secure her son’s future.