King Dasharatha, deeply concerned and devoted to Kaikeyi’s happiness, found her lying on the ground, covered in dust. With sorrow in his heart, he pleaded, “O blessed one, why do you lie there, causing me such pain, when my mind is ever devoted to your welfare?” He sensed that some unseen affliction troubled her mind, disturbing his own peace. He reminded her of the skilled physicians at his disposal, all capable and eager to restore her to happiness, and gently asked, “Tell me, beautiful one, what illness afflicts you? Or is there a dear wish you long for, or has someone wronged you?” Dasharatha pressed further, seeking to understand the cause of her distress. “Who has gained great joy, or who has suffered great harm today? Do not grieve, do not torment yourself, O lady. Who should be punished or spared? Who should gain wealth or lose it? Both I and everything I possess are yours to command; I cannot refuse any wish of yours. Speak your heart, even if it costs me my own life. You know my strength—do not doubt me. I swear by my merit, I will fulfill your desire. As long as the wheel of time turns, so long as this earth is mine, I will grant your wish.” He spoke of the vast lands under his rule—the Dravidas, Sindhus, Sauvīras, Saurāṣṭras, the peoples of the south, Vaṅgas, Aṅgas, Magadhas, Matsyas, and the prosperous Kāśis and Kosalas—all rich in wealth, grain, and cattle. “Kaikeyi, choose from them whatever your mind desires. Why do you trouble yourself, fearful one? Rise, rise, O beautiful one! Tell me truly what has brought you fear; I will dispel it for you, as the sun disperses the mist.” Thus addressed and comforted, Kaikeyi, wishing to speak her harsh request, began again to press her husband. Now, listen to the eleventh chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Ayodhyā section. Kaikeyi spoke harsh words to the king, who was pierced by the arrows of love and overcome by desire. She said, “O lord, I have not been wronged or insulted by anyone; but there is a certain wish in my heart, and I desire that you fulfill it. Swear to your promise, if you wish to grant it; then I will tell you what I truly desire.” Dasharatha, with a slight smile, spoke to Kaikeyi, his beloved, taking her gently by the hair as she sat on the ground. “O proud one, you do not realize that there is no one dearer to me than Rama, that tiger among men. By that unconquered, foremost, high-souled Raghava—by Rama, who is worthy of life—I swear to you, speak whatever is in your heart. I surely could not live even for a moment without seeing Rama; by him, O Kaikeyi, I swear to fulfill your word. By that Rama, whom I choose above myself, my sons, and all others, O Kaikeyi, I swear to fulfill your request. Good lady, consider this in your heart and grant me relief; reflect well, Kaikeyi, and tell me what you think is right. Seeing your own strength, you should not hesitate; I will fulfill your wish, I swear to you by my own merit.” Delighted by these words, Kaikeyi revealed her dreadful intent, like Death itself arriving. She declared, “Since you swear and grant me a boon in due order, let the thirty-three gods, with Indra at their head, hear this. Let the moon and sun, the sky, the planets, night and day, the directions, the world, this earth, the Gandharvas, and all the Rakshasas bear witness. Let the night-wandering beings, spirits, household gods in the homes, and all other beings know what you have spoken. This one, steadfast in truth, of great splendor, knower of righteousness, truthful in speech and pure, grants me a boon—let all the gods hear.” Having embraced and praised the mighty-armed king, she spoke further to the boon-giver, overcome by desire. “Remember, O king, what happened before, in that battle between gods and demons, when an enemy endangered your life. There, O lord, I protected you, keeping watch and striving; for that, you granted me two boons. Those two boons, O lord, which you gave, I now seek to claim from you, O protector of the earth, O descendant of Raghu. If you do not grant me the boon you promised in righteousness, today, dishonored by you, I will give up my life.” By mere words, the king was brought under Kaikeyi’s control; like a deer caught in a snare, he moved toward his own destruction. She continued, “O lord, you had granted me two boons, and at that time you promised to give them, O king. Now I will declare those two boons to you today; listen to my words: the preparations for Rāghava’s consecration have been made. With that very consecration, let Bharata be anointed for me; this is the second boon, O lord, which you joyfully granted me. At that time, in the battle between gods and demons, you promised; now that time has come: let Rāma dwell in the Daṇḍaka forest for nine and five years. Let Rāma, steadfast and wearing bark and deerskin, become an ascetic; let Bharata today rule the kingdom without obstacle. This is my highest desire; I choose the boon you granted. And today, let me see Rāghava departing for the forest.” Thus, Kaikeyi placed her dreadful demand before Dasharatha, binding him with his own promises, and setting in motion the events that would change the destiny of Ayodhya.