न ददर्श स्त्रियं राजा कैकेयीं शयनोत्तमे। स कामबलसंयुक्तो रत्यर्थी मनुजाधिपः
The king did not see his wife Kaikeyi on the excellent bed; filled with desire and longing for pleasure, the lord of men searched for her.
अपश्यन् दयितां भार्यां पप्रच्छ विषसाद च। नहि तस्य पुरा देवी तां वेलामत्यवर्तत
Not seeing his beloved wife, he asked after her and became dejected; for never before had the queen stayed away at such a time.
न च राजा गृहं शून्यं प्रविवेश कदाचन। ततो गृहगतो राजा कैकेयीं पर्यपृच्छत
Nor had the king ever entered an empty chamber; then, having gone to the chamber, the king inquired about Kaikeyi.
यथापुरम् अविज्ञाय स्वार्थलिप्सुम् अपण्डिताम्। प्रतिहारी त्वथोवाच संत्रस्ता तु कृताञ्जलिः
Unaware as before of her selfish intent and lack of wisdom, the king asked; but the doorkeeper, frightened, with joined palms, spoke.
देव देवी भृशं क्रुद्धा क्रोधागारमभिद्रुता। प्रतीहार्या वचः श्रुत्वा राजा परमदुर्मनाः
"Lord, the queen is greatly angered and has rushed to the chamber of wrath." Hearing the doorkeeper's words, the king became deeply troubled.
विषसाद पुनर्भूयो लुलितव्याकुलेन्द्रियः। तत्र तां पतितां भूमौ शयानामतथोचिताम्
He became despondent again, his senses disturbed and agitated; there he saw her lying on the ground, in a manner unbefitting her.
प्रतप्त इव दुःखेन सोऽपश्यज्जगतीपतिः। स वृद्धस्तरुणीं भार्यां प्राणेभ्योऽपि गरीयसीम्
The lord of the earth, as if scorched by sorrow, saw his youthful wife, dearer than life itself, lying there.
अपापः पापसंकल्पां ददर्श धरणीतले। लतामिव विनिष्कृत्तां पतितां देवतामिव
Sinless himself, he saw her, whose mind was set on evil, lying on the ground—like a creeper cut off, like a goddess fallen.
किन्नरीमिव निर्धूतां च्युताम् अप्सरसं यथा। मायाम् इव परिभ्रष्टां हरिणीम् इव संयताम्
Like a kinnari cast away, like a fallen apsaras, like a delusion that has vanished, like a deer caught and subdued.
करेणुम् इव दिग्धेन विद्धां मृगयुना वने। महागज इवारण्ये स्नेहात् परमदुःखिताम्
Like a female elephant wounded by a poisoned arrow from a hunter in the forest, she lay there, deeply distressed from affection, like a great elephant in the woods.
परिमृज्य च पाणिभ्यामभिसंत्रस्तचेतनः। कामी कमलपत्राक्षीमुवाच वनितामिदम्
Wiping his face with his hands, his mind deeply troubled, the passionate king spoke these words to the lotus-eyed lady.
न तेऽहमभिजानामि क्रोधमात्मनि संश्रितम्। देवि केनाभियुक्तासि केन वासि विमानिता
I do not know of any anger residing in you, O lady; by whom have you been accused, or by whom have you been insulted?
यदिदं मम दुःखाय शेषे कल्याणि पांसुषु। भूमौ शेषे किमर्थं त्वं मयि कल्याणचेतसि
O blessed one, why do you lie on the ground, covered in dust, causing me such sorrow, when my mind is devoted to your welfare?
भूतोपहतचित्तेव मम चित्तप्रमाथिनि। सन्ति मे कुशला वैद्यास्त्वभितुष्टाश्च सर्वशः
It is as if your mind is afflicted by some being, disturbing my own heart; I have skilled physicians, all well-pleased and capable.
सुखितां त्वां करिष्यन्ति व्याधिमाचक्ष्व भामिनि। कस्य वापि प्रियं कार्यं केन वा विप्रियं कृतम्
They will restore you to happiness—tell me, beautiful one, what illness afflicts you? Or is there some dear wish to be fulfilled, or has someone done you harm?
कः प्रियं लभतामद्य को वा सुमहदप्रियम्। मा रौत्सीर्मा च कार्षीस्त्वं देवि सम्परिशोषणम्
Who today has gained great joy, or who has suffered great harm? Do not grieve, do not torment yourself, O lady.
अवध्यो वध्यतां को वा वध्यः को वा विमुच्यताम्। दरिद्रः को भवेदाढ्यो द्रव्यवान् वाप्यकिंचनः
Who that is not to be slain should be slain, or who that is to be slain should be released? Who that is poor should become wealthy, or who that is rich should become destitute?
अहं च हि मदीयाश्च सर्वे तव वशानुगाः। न ते कंचिदभिप्रायं व्याहन्तुमहमुत्सहे
Both I and all that is mine are under your command; I am not able to refuse any wish of yours.
आत्मनो जीवितेनापि ब्रूहि यन्मनसि स्थितम्। बलमात्मनि जानन्ती न मां शङ्कितुमर्हसि
Speak what is in your heart, even at the cost of my own life; knowing my strength, you should not doubt me.
करिष्यामि तव प्रीतिं सुकृतेनापि ते शपे। यावदावर्तते चक्रं तावती मे वसुंधरा
I will fulfill your desire, I swear to you by my merit; as long as the wheel of time turns, so long is this earth mine.
द्राविडाः सिन्धुसौवीराः सौराष्ट्रा दक्षिणापथाः। वङ्गाङ्गमगधा मत्स्याः समृद्धाः काशिकोसलाः
The Dravidas, Sindhus, Sauvīras, Saurāṣṭras, peoples of the southern lands, Vaṅgas, Aṅgas, Magadhas, Matsyas, the prosperous Kāśis and Kosalas—
तत्र जातं बहु द्रव्यं धनधान्यमजाविकम्। ततो वृणीष्व कैकेयि यद् यत् त्वं मनसेच्छसि
There is abundant wealth, grain, and cattle born in those lands; therefore, Kaikeyi, choose from them whatever your mind desires.
किमायासेन ते भीरु उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ शोभने। तत्त्वं मे ब्रूहि कैकेयि यतस्ते भयमागतम्। तत् ते व्यपनयिष्यामि नीहारमिव रश्मिवान्
Why do you trouble yourself, fearful one? Rise, rise, O beautiful one! Tell me truly, Kaikeyi, what has brought you fear; I will dispel it for you, as the sun disperses the mist.
तथोक्ता सा समाश्वस्ता वक्तुकामा तदप्रियम्। परिपीडयितुं भूयो भर्तारमुपचक्रमे
Thus addressed, she, comforted and wishing to speak that harsh request, began again to press her husband.
thumb|एकादशः सर्गः श्रूयताम्|center श्रीमद्वाल्मीकियरामायणे अयोध्याकाण्डे एकादशः सर्गः ॥२-
Listen to the eleventh chapter in the glorious Vālmīki Rāmāyaṇa, in the Ayodhyā section.
तं मन्मथशरैर्विद्धं कामवेगवशानुगम्। उवाच पृथिवीपालं कैकेयी दारुणं वचः
Kaikeyi spoke harsh words to the king, who was pierced by the arrows of love and overcome by the force of desire.
नास्मि विप्रकृता देव केनचिन्नावमानिता। अभिप्रायस्तु मे कश्चित् तमिच्छामि त्वया कृतम्
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.
प्रतिज्ञां प्रतिजानीष्व यदि त्वं कर्तुमिच्छसि। अथ ते व्याहरिष्यामि यथाभिप्रार्थितं मया
Swear to your promise, if you wish to grant it; then I will tell you what I truly desire.
तामुवाच महाराजः कैकेयीमीषदुत्स्मयः। कामी हस्तेन संगृह्य मूर्धजेषु भुवि स्थिताम्
The king, with a slight smile, spoke to Kaikeyi, his beloved, taking her by the hair as she sat on the ground.
अवलिप्ते न जानासि त्वत्तः प्रियतरो मम। मनुजो मनुजव्याघ्राद् रामादन्यो न विद्यते
O proud one, you do not realize that there is no one dearer to me than Rama, that tiger among men.