By the power of mere words, Kaikeyī brought the mighty King Daśaratha under her sway. Ensnared like a deer caught in a hunter’s trap, he moved helplessly toward his own ruin. Seeing his mind clouded by desire and infatuation, Kaikeyī spoke again: “O lord, you once granted me two boons, and at that time, O king, you promised with joy to fulfill them.” She continued, “Now I declare those two boons before you. Listen to my words: preparations for Rāghava’s consecration have already been made. With that very ceremony, let Bharata be anointed as king for my sake. This is the first boon, O lord, which you joyfully granted me. And the second: in the great battle between gods and demons, you promised me—now that time has come—let Rāma dwell in the Daṇḍaka forest for fourteen years.” “Let Rāma, steadfast and clad in bark and deerskin, live as an ascetic; let Bharata today rule the kingdom without hindrance. This is my highest desire, and I choose the boon you granted. Today, let me see Rāghava departing for the forest. Be a king of kings, true to your promise. Protect your lineage, your character, and your birthright; for in the next world, the sages declare, truthfulness is the highest good for men.” Hearing these harsh and cruel words, the great king fell into deep and troubled thought. For a moment, he was tormented beyond measure. He wondered, “Is this a dream? Has my mind become deluded? Is this some affliction, or a disturbance of my heart?” Lost in confusion, he found no comfort. Tormented by Kaikeyī’s words, he sat on the bare ground, distressed and bewildered, like a deer who has come face to face with a tigress, breathing heavily. He was like a serpent trapped in a circle, restrained by spells, yet full of deadly venom. Anger welled up in him, and the lord of men uttered words of reproach. Overwhelmed by grief, he again fell into confusion; but after a long time, deeply afflicted, the king regained his senses. Enraged and burning with his own energy, he spoke to Kaikeyī: “Cruel one, of wicked conduct, destroyer of this family! What wrong has Rāma done to you? What sin have I committed, O wicked one? Rāghava has always behaved toward you as towards his own mother. For what reason, then, are you intent on this harm? You have been placed in this house by me, yet you seek my own destruction. Unaware, O princess, you are like a serpent with sharp poison; for when the whole world sings the praises of Rāma’s virtues, for what offense should I abandon my beloved son? I could even forsake Kausalyā and Sumitrā, or give up my own wealth.” “If I do not see Rāma, my consciousness will be lost; can the world remain without the sun, or crops without water? Without Rāma, my life cannot remain in this body. Therefore, let this sinful resolve be abandoned at once. I am ready to touch your feet with my head—be gracious to me! Why have you conceived such a dreadful thought, O sinful one?” “If you wish to test my affection or aversion for Bharata, let it be as you previously declared regarding Rāghava. He is my eldest son, illustrious and foremost in righteousness; what you, who speak kindly, said was only for the sake of service. Hearing that, tormented by grief, you cause me great pain; you have become possessed in this empty house, now fallen under another’s control.” “O queen, a great calamity has come upon the house of the Ikṣvākus, where your mind, once guided by virtue, has turned astray. Never before, O large-eyed one, did you do anything improper or displeasing to me; therefore, I cannot believe this of you. Surely, Rāghava is equal to Bharata, the great-souled one, in your eyes; for as a child, you often told me so. How, O timid one, do you desire the exile to the forest for that righteous and renowned one for fourteen years?” “How do you wish for the dwelling in the harsh forest for him, who is extremely delicate and whose mind is set on righteousness? O auspicious-eyed one, why do you desire the banishment of Rāma, who is charming and devoted to serving you? Indeed, Rāma always serves you more than Bharata does; I do not see any special regard from Bharata towards you in this. Who else, apart from that best of men, would show greater service, respect, and obedience in word and deed?” “Among the many thousands of women and dependents, no reproach or slander is ever found against Rāghava. Rāma, the tiger among men, with a pure heart, wins over all beings with gentle words and wins the affection of the people. Rāghava conquers the worlds by truth, the twice-born by charity, his elders by service, and his enemies in battle by the bow. Truthfulness, generosity, austerity, renunciation, friendship, purity, straightforwardness, learning, and service to elders—these are steadfast in Rāghava.” “In him, endowed with uprightness, O lady, equal to the gods, how can you wish for evil against Rāma, whose brilliance is like that of great sages? I do not recall ever speaking a harsh word to anyone, being one who speaks kindly to all; so how can I now, for your sake, speak to Rāma a word that is pleasing to you but painful to him?” Thus, tormented by grief and confusion, King Daśaratha poured out his anguish before Kaikeyī, unable to comprehend her cruel demand and shaken to the core by the calamity that had befallen his house.