King Daśaratha, overwhelmed by anguish, turned to Queen Kaikeyī and pleaded, “Why, Kaikeyī, are you set on causing this harm? I welcomed you into this house, and yet you seek my very ruin. Unaware, O princess, you are like a serpent whose venom is sharp and deadly—for even as the world resounds with praise for Rāma’s virtues, you wish his downfall. “What fault has my beloved son committed that I should abandon him? I could forsake Kausalyā and Sumitrā, or even give up my own riches, but not him. If I do not see Rāma, my very consciousness will fade away; can the world exist without the sun, or crops without water? Without Rāma, my life cannot remain in this body. Therefore, abandon this sinful resolve at once. “I am prepared to bow my head at your feet—be gracious to me. Why have you conceived such a dreadful thought, O misguided one? If you wish to test my affection or aversion for Bharata, let it be as you previously declared concerning Rāghava. He is my eldest son, illustrious and foremost in righteousness. What you, who speak gently, said was only to serve me, I know. “But now, tormented by grief, you cause me great pain. You have become possessed by some madness in this empty house, now fallen under another’s control. O queen, a great calamity has fallen upon the house of the Ikṣvākus, for 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 in your eyes, for as a child you often told me so. How, O timid one, can you desire the exile to the forest for that righteous and renowned son for fourteen years? How do you wish for such a delicate, virtuous soul to dwell in the harsh forest? O auspicious-eyed one, why do you wish for the banishment of Rāma, who is so dear and devoted to serving you? “Indeed, Rāma serves you more than Bharata does; I see no special regard from Bharata toward 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, a tiger among men with a pure heart, wins all with gentle words and the affection of the people. “He conquers the worlds by truth, the twice-born by charity, his elders by service, and his enemies in battle by his bow. Truthfulness, generosity, austerity, renunciation, friendship, purity, straightforwardness, learning, and service to elders—these are steadfast in Rāghava. In him, endowed with uprightness and brilliance like the great sages, how can you wish evil upon Rāma, who is equal to the gods? “I have never spoken a harsh word to anyone, always gentle to all; how can I now, for your sake, speak to Rāma words that please you but cause him pain? In whom else but him—endowed with patience, austerity, renunciation, truth, righteousness, gratitude, and nonviolence toward all beings—could I possibly place my hope? “Show compassion to me, Kaikeyī, who am old, spent, devoted to austerity, wretched, and lamenting in my distress. Whatever can be obtained on earth, up to the ocean’s edge, I will give you; but do not let anger take hold of you. I fold my hands to you, Kaikeyī, and even touch your feet; be the refuge of Rāma—let unrighteousness not touch me here.” Thus, overwhelmed by sorrow, lamenting, and nearly unconscious, the great king was completely overcome by grief. As he pleaded again and again to be freed from this ocean of suffering, Kaikeyī replied to him with words even harsher than before. “If, having granted me two boons, O king, you now regret it, how will you speak of your righteousness on earth, O hero? When many royal sages assemble with you and speak of dharma, what will you say in reply? Will you admit, ‘I lived by her favor, and she protected me, yet I deceived Kaikeyī’? You will bring disgrace upon kings, O lord of men, if, after granting a boon, you now speak otherwise. “Shaibya gave his own flesh to a bird in the tale of the hawk and the dove; Alarka, giving up his eyes, attained the highest state. The ocean, having made a vow, does not cross its boundary; do not break your promise, remembering what was done before. But you, abandoning righteousness and installing Rāma as king, wish always to enjoy yourself with Kausalyā, O wicked-minded one. “Let it be unrighteousness or righteousness, truth or falsehood—whatever you have promised me, there can be no violation of it. For I will drink poison right now, here before you, and die before your eyes if Rāma is anointed king. If I were to see Rāma’s mother for even a single day, accepting my salutation, surely death would be better for me. By Bharata and by myself, O king of men, I swear to you: I would not be pleased by anything except Rāma’s exile.” Thus, the king’s heart was pierced by Kaikeyī’s unyielding words, and the sorrow within the royal house deepened.