Ayodhya Kand

यस्याङ्के च विभाति भूधरसुता देवापगा मस्तके भाले बालविधुर्गले च गरलं यस्योरसि व्यालराट्। सोऽयं भूतिविभूषणः सुरवरः सर्वाधिपः सर्वदा शर्वः सर्वगतः शिवः शशिनिभः श्रीशङ्करः पातु माम्।।1।। प्रसन्नतां या न गताभिषेकतस्तथा न मम्ले वनवासदुःखतः। मुखाम्बुजश्री रघुनन्दनस्य मे सदास्तु सा मञ्जुलमंगलप्रदा।।2।। नीलाम्बुजश्यामलकोमलाङ्गं सीतासमारोपितवामभागम्। पाणौ महासायकचारुचापं नमामि रामं रघुवंशनाथम्।।3।।

May Lord Shankar protect me — He on whose lap shines Parvati, daughter of the mountain, on whose head is the celestial Ganga, on whose forehead the young crescent moon, on whose throat the poison, and on whose chest the king of serpents; adorned with sacred ash, best of gods, lord of all, ever auspicious, all-pervading, moon-like Shri Shankar. May the beauty of Shri Ram's lotus face — which grew neither elated at the coronation nor withered from the sorrow of exile — ever be to me the giver of sweet auspiciousness. I bow to Shri Ram, lord of the Raghu dynasty, whose tender body is dark like a blue lotus, who has Sita seated on His left, and who holds a great arrow and a beautiful bow in His hands.

श्रीगुरु चरन सरोज रज निज मनु मुकुरु सुधारि। बरनउँ रघुबर बिमल जसु जो दायकु फल चारि।।

Having cleansed the mirror of my own mind with the dust of the Guru's lotus feet, I sing the pure fame of Shri Ram, which grants the four fruits of life — dharma, artha, kama and moksha.

जब तें रामु ब्याहि घर आए। नित नव मंगल मोद बधाए।। भुवन चारिदस भूधर भारी। सुकृत मेघ बरषहि सुख बारी।। रिधि सिधि संपति नदीं सुहाई। उमगि अवध अंबुधि कहुँ आई।। मनिगन पुर नर नारि सुजाती। सुचि अमोल सुंदर सब भाँती।। कहि न जाइ कछु नगर बिभूती। जनु एतनिअ बिरंचि करतूती।। सब बिधि सब पुर लोग सुखारी। रामचंद मुख चंदु निहारी।। मुदित मातु सब सखीं सहेली। फलित बिलोकि मनोरथ बेली।। राम रूपु गुनसीलु सुभाऊ। प्रमुदित होइ देखि सुनि राऊ।।

Ever since Shri Ram married and came home, there have been new auspicious celebrations and joy each day. The fourteen worlds are like great mountains on which the clouds of good deeds rain down the waters of happiness. Prosperity, spiritual powers and wealth are like lovely rivers that have swelled and flowed into the ocean of Ayodhya. The good men and women of the city are like jewels — pure, priceless and beautiful in every way. The city's splendour cannot be described; it is as if this was Brahma's entire handiwork. All the townspeople are happy in every way, gazing at Ramchandra's moon-like face. All the mothers and their companions are joyful, seeing the creeper of their desires bear fruit. Seeing and hearing of Ram's beauty, virtue, character and nature, King Dasharath is greatly delighted.

सब कें उर अभिलाषु अस कहहिं मनाइ महेसु। आप अछत जुबराज पद रामहि देउ नरेसु।।1।।

In everyone's heart is this longing, and they pray to Lord Mahesh: while the king himself is still present, may he grant Ram the position of Yuvaraj (crown prince).

एक समय सब सहित समाजा। राजसभाँ रघुराजु बिराजा।। सकल सुकृत मूरति नरनाहू। राम सुजसु सुनि अतिहि उछाहू।। नृप सब रहहिं कृपा अभिलाषें। लोकप करहिं प्रीति रुख राखें।। तिभुवन तीनि काल जग माहीं। भूरि भाग दसरथ सम नाहीं।। मंगलमूल रामु सुत जासू। जो कछु कहिज थोर सबु तासू।। रायँ सुभायँ मुकुरु कर लीन्हा। बदनु बिलोकि मुकुट सम कीन्हा।। श्रवन समीप भए सित केसा। मनहुँ जरठपनु अस उपदेसा।। नृप जुबराज राम कहुँ देहू। जीवन जनम लाहु किन लेहू।।

One day, with the whole assembly, King Dasharath sat in the royal court. The king, an image of all good deeds, was overjoyed hearing Ram's fair fame. All the kings remain desiring his grace, and the guardians of the world keep his favour with love. In all three worlds, in all three ages, there is none so fortunate as Dasharath, whose son is Ram, the root of auspiciousness — whatever is said of him is little. Naturally, the king took a mirror in his hand and, looking at his face, held it up like a crown. The hair near his ears had turned white, as if old age were giving him this counsel: O king, give Ram the crown-prince's office; why not reap the reward of your life and birth?

यह बिचारु उर आनि नृप सुदिनु सुअवसरु पाइ। प्रेम पुलकि तन मुदित मन गुरहि सुनायउ जाइ।।2।।

Bringing this thought to his heart, the king found an auspicious day and good moment; with his body thrilled in love and his mind delighted, he went and told the Guru Vasishtha.

कहइ भुआलु सुनिअ मुनिनायक। भए राम सब बिधि सब लायक।। सेवक सचिव सकल पुरबासी। जे हमारे अरि मित्र उदासी।। सबहि रामु प्रिय जेहि बिधि मोही। प्रभु असीस जनु तनु धरि सोही।। बिप्र सहित परिवार गोसाईं। करहिं छोहु सब रौरिहि नाई।। जे गुर चरन रेनु सिर धरहीं। ते जनु सकल बिभव बस करहीं।। मोहि सम यहु अनुभयउ न दूजें। सबु पायउँ रज पावनि पूजें।। अब अभिलाषु एकु मन मोरें। पूजहि नाथ अनुग्रह तोरें।। मुनि प्रसन्न लखि सहज सनेहू। कहेउ नरेस रजायसु देहू।।

The king says: Listen, O chief of sages. Ram has become fit in every way, for everything. Servants, ministers and all the townspeople — whether our enemies, friends or neutral — Ram is as dear to all as he is to me; it is as if your blessing has taken bodily form and shines. My whole family and the Brahmins, O master, all show affection like yours. Those who place the dust of the Guru's feet on their head bring every glory under their control. No one else has experienced this as I have; I have gained everything by worshipping that purifying dust. Now there is one longing in my mind, which by your grace will be fulfilled, O lord. Seeing the sage pleased and full of natural affection, the king said: Give me your command.

राजन राउर नामु जसु सब अभिमत दातार। फल अनुगामी महिप मनि मन अभिलाषु तुम्हार।।3।।

(Vasishtha replies:) O king, your name and fame are the giver of all that is desired. O jewel among kings, results follow your wish — whatever you desire comes to pass.

सब बिधि गुरु प्रसन्न जियँ जानी। बोलेउ राउ रहँसि मृदु बानी।। नाथ रामु करिअहिं जुबराजू। कहिअ कृपा करि करिअ समाजू।। मोहि अछत यहु होइ उछाहू। लहहिं लोग सब लोचन लाहू।। प्रभु प्रसाद सिव सबइ निबाहीं। यह लालसा एक मन माहीं।। पुनि न सोच तनु रहउ कि जाऊ। जेहिं न होइ पाछें पछिताऊ।। सुनि मुनि दसरथ बचन सुहाए। मंगल मोद मूल मन भाए।। सुनु नृप जासु बिमुख पछिताहीं। जासु भजन बिनु जरनि न जाहीं।। भयउ तुम्हार तनय सोइ स्वामी। रामु पुनीत प्रेम अनुगामी।।

Knowing in his heart that the Guru was pleased in every way, the king spoke joyfully in gentle words: O lord, let Ram be made crown prince; kindly say so and arrange the ceremony. While I am still here, may this celebration take place, so that all people gain the reward of their eyes. By your grace and Shiva's, all things are accomplished; this one longing remains in my mind. Then there will be no worry whether my body stays or goes, so that later there is no regret. Hearing Dasharath's sweet words, the sage's mind was delighted, for they were the root of auspiciousness and joy. He said: Listen, O king — He whom people, being turned away, regret, and without whose worship inner torment never departs, that very Lord has become your son, Ram, the follower of pure love.

बेगि बिलंबु न करिअ नृप साजिअ सबुइ समाजु। सुदिन सुमंगलु तबहिं जब रामु होहिं जुबराजु।।4।।

O king, act at once, do not delay; make all the preparations ready. That very moment will be the auspicious day and good fortune, when Ram becomes the crown prince.

मुदित महिपति मंदिर आए। सेवक सचिव सुमंत्रु बोलाए।। कहि जयजीव सीस तिन्ह नाए। भूप सुमंगल बचन सुनाए।। जौं पाँचहि मत लागै नीका। करहु हरषि हियँ रामहि टीका।। मंत्री मुदित सुनत प्रिय बानी। अभिमत बिरवँ परेउ जनु पानी।। बिनती सचिव करहि कर जोरी। जिअहु जगतपति बरिस करोरी।। जग मंगल भल काजु बिचारा। बेगिअ नाथ न लाइअ बारा।। नृपहि मोदु सुनि सचिव सुभाषा। बढ़त बौंड़ जनु लही सुसाखा।।

The delighted king came to his palace and summoned the servants, ministers and Sumantra. Crying 'Long live, be victorious,' they bowed their heads, and the king announced the good news. If this plan seems good to all of you, then with joyful hearts perform Ram's anointing. The ministers were delighted to hear the dear words, as if water had fallen upon the plant of their desire. Folding their hands, the ministers made a request: May you, lord of the world, live for millions of years. You have thought of a deed good and auspicious for the world; hurry, O lord, do not delay. Hearing the ministers' fine words, the king was delighted, as if a growing sapling had found a good branch.

कहेउ भूप मुनिराज कर जोइ जोइ आयसु होइ। राम राज अभिषेक हित बेगि करहु सोइ सोइ।।5।।

The king said: Whatever command comes from the great sage Vasishtha, do exactly that at once for Ram's royal consecration.

हरषि मुनीस कहेउ मृदु बानी। आनहु सकल सुतीरथ पानी।। औषध मूल फूल फल पाना। कहे नाम गनि मंगल नाना।। चामर चरम बसन बहु भाँती। रोम पाट पट अगनित जाती।। मनिगन मंगल बस्तु अनेका। जो जग जोगु भूप अभिषेका।। बेद बिदित कहि सकल बिधाना। कहेउ रचहु पुर बिबिध बिताना।। सफल रसाल पूगफल केरा। रोपहु बीथिन्ह पुर चहुँ फेरा।। रचहु मंजु मनि चौकें चारू। कहहु बनावन बेगि बजारू।। पूजहु गनपति गुर कुलदेवा। सब बिधि करहु भूमिसुर सेवा।।

Delighted, the great sage said in gentle words: Bring water from all the holy pilgrimage places. He named and counted various auspicious herbs, roots, flowers, fruits and leaves; chowries, deer-skins, garments of many kinds, and countless sorts of wool, silk and cloth; jewels and many auspicious articles fit for a king's consecration in the world. Reciting all the rites known in the Vedas, he said: Set up many canopies in the city. Plant fruit-bearing mango, betel-nut and banana trees along the streets all around the city. Make beautiful jewelled squares, and have the marketplace decorated quickly. Worship Ganesh, the Guru and the family deities, and serve the Brahmins in every way.

ध्वज पताक तोरन कलस सजहु तुरग रथ नाग। सिर धरि मुनिबर बचन सबु निज निज काजहिं लाग।।6।।

Adorn everything with flags, banners, arches and kalash-pitchers; make ready the horses, chariots and elephants. Bearing the great sage's words upon their heads, all set about their respective tasks.

जो मुनीस जेहि आयसु दीन्हा। सो तेहिं काजु प्रथम जनु कीन्हा।। बिप्र साधु सुर पूजत राजा। करत राम हित मंगल काजा।। सुनत राम अभिषेक सुहावा। बाज गहागह अवध बधावा।। राम सीय तन सगुन जनाए। फरकहिं मंगल अंग सुहाए।। पुलकि सप्रेम परसपर कहहीं। भरत आगमनु सूचक अहहीं।। भए बहुत दिन अति अवसेरी। सगुन प्रतीति भेंट प्रिय केरी।। भरत सरिस प्रिय को जग माहीं। इहइ सगुन फलु दूसर नाहीं।। रामहि बंधु सोच दिन राती। अंडन्हि कमठ ह्रदउ जेहि भाँती।।

Whichever task the great sage assigned to whom, that one did it first, as though eagerly. The king worships Brahmins, holy men and gods, performing the good and auspicious rite for Ram's sake. Hearing of Ram's lovely consecration, festive music resounded and celebrations spread through all Ayodhya. On the bodies of Ram and Sita good omens appeared; their auspicious, beautiful limbs throbbed. Thrilled with love, they said to one another: these foretell Bharat's arrival. Many days have passed and there is deep longing; the omens assure them of meeting their dear one. Who in the world is as dear as Bharat? This is the very fruit of the omen, none other. Ram worries for his brother day and night, as the tortoise's heart is ever fixed on its eggs.

एहि अवसर मंगलु परम सुनि रहँसेउ रनिवासु। सोभत लखि बिधु बढ़त जनु बारिधि बीचि बिलासु।।7।।

On this occasion, hearing of the supreme auspiciousness, the royal household rejoiced, shining as though — seeing the waxing moon — the waves of the ocean were dancing with delight.

प्रथम जाइ जिन्ह बचन सुनाए। भूषन बसन भूरि तिन्ह पाए।। प्रेम पुलकि तन मन अनुरागीं। मंगल कलस सजन सब लागीं।। चौकें चारु सुमित्राँ पुरी। मनिमय बिबिध भाँति अति रुरी।। आनँद मगन राम महतारी। दिए दान बहु बिप्र हँकारी।। पूजीं ग्रामदेबि सुर नागा। कहेउ बहोरि देन बलिभागा।। जेहि बिधि होइ राम कल्यानू। देहु दया करि सो बरदानू।। गावहिं मंगल कोकिलबयनीं। बिधुबदनीं मृगसावकनयनीं।।

Those who went first and brought the news received abundant ornaments and garments. Thrilled with love, their bodies and minds full of affection, they all set to preparing the auspicious kalash. Sumitra decorated beautiful squares, jewelled and of various kinds, most lovely. Immersed in bliss, Ram's mother Kausalya called many Brahmins and gave much charity. She worshipped the village-goddesses, gods and Nagas, and promised to give offerings again. She prayed: In whatever way Ram's welfare comes about, mercifully grant that boon. Women with voices like the cuckoo, faces like the moon and eyes like a fawn's sang auspicious songs.

राम राज अभिषेकु सुनि हियँ हरषे नर नारि। लगे सुमंगल सजन सब बिधि अनुकूल बिचारि।।8।।

Hearing of Ram's royal consecration, the men and women rejoiced in their hearts and, finding everything favourable, all set about making auspicious preparations.

तब नरनाहँ बसिष्ठु बोलाए। रामधाम सिख देन पठाए।। गुर आगमनु सुनत रघुनाथा। द्वार आइ पद नायउ माथा।। सादर अरघ देइ घर आने। सोरह भाँति पूजि सनमाने।। गहे चरन सिय सहित बहोरी। बोले रामु कमल कर जोरी।। सेवक सदन स्वामि आगमनू। मंगल मूल अमंगल दमनू।। तदपि उचित जनु बोलि सप्रीती। पठइअ काज नाथ असि नीती।। प्रभुता तजि प्रभु कीन्ह सनेहू। भयउ पुनीत आजु यहु गेहू।। आयसु होइ सो करौं गोसाई। सेवक लहइ स्वामि सेवकाई।।

Then the king summoned Vasishtha and sent him to Ram's abode to give instructions. Hearing of the Guru's coming, Raghunath came to the door and bowed his head at his feet. Respectfully offering welcome-water, he brought him into the house and honoured him with worship in the sixteen prescribed ways. Then, together with Sita, he clasped his feet again, and Ram spoke with folded lotus-hands: The master's coming to the servant's home is the root of auspiciousness and the destroyer of all ill. Yet, my lord, it would have been proper to lovingly summon the servant and send him for the task — such is the etiquette. Setting aside your greatness, my lord, you have shown affection; today this house has become hallowed. Whatever your command, I shall do it, O master; may the servant obtain the service of his lord.

सुनि सनेह साने बचन मुनि रघुबरहि प्रसंस। राम कस न तुम्ह कहहु अस हंस बंस अवतंस।।9।।

Hearing these words steeped in affection, the sage praised Shri Ram: O Ram, why would you not speak thus — you who are the crown-jewel of the solar (Raghu) dynasty?

बरनि राम गुन सीलु सुभाऊ। बोले प्रेम पुलकि मुनिराऊ।। भूप सजेउ अभिषेक समाजू। चाहत देन तुम्हहि जुबराजू।। राम करहु सब संजम आजू। जौं बिधि कुसल निबाहै काजू।। गुरु सिख देइ राय पहिं गयउ। राम हृदयँ अस बिसमउ भयऊ।। जनमे एक संग सब भाई। भोजन सयन केलि लरिकाई।। करनबेध उपबीत बिआहा। संग संग सब भए उछाहा।। बिमल बंस यहु अनुचित एकू। बंधु बिहाइ बड़ेहि अभिषेकू।। प्रभु सप्रेम पछितानि सुहाई। हरउ भगत मन कै कुटिलाई।।

Describing Ram's virtue, character and nature, the great sage spoke, thrilled with love: The king has arranged the consecration ceremony; he wishes to give you the crown-prince's office. O Ram, observe all the sacred disciplines today, so that God may bring the task to a good end. Giving this instruction, the Guru went to the king. In Ram's heart such a thought arose: All we brothers were born together, and shared eating, sleeping and play in childhood; the ear-piercing, the sacred-thread rite and the marriage — all our celebrations happened together. In this pure dynasty this one thing is improper — that, leaving the brothers, only the eldest is consecrated. Thus the Lord lovingly lamented so beautifully — may He remove the crookedness from His devotees' minds.

तेहि अवसर आए लखन मगन प्रेम आनंद। सनमाने प्रिय बचन कहि रघुकुल कैरव चंद।।10।।

At that moment Lakshman arrived, immersed in love and bliss. Ram honoured him with dear words — He who is the moon to the lily-delight of the Raghu dynasty.

बाजहिं बाजने बिबिध बिधाना। पुर प्रमोदु नहिं जाइ बखाना।। भरत आगमनु सकल मनावहिं। आवहुँ बेगि नयन फलु पावहिं।। हाट बाट घर गलीं अथाई। कहहिं परसपर लोग लोगाई।। कालि लगन भलि केतिक बारा। पूजिहि बिधि अभिलाषु हमारा।। कनक सिंघासन सीय समेता। बैठहिं रामु होइ चित चेता।। सकल कहहिं कब होइहि काली। बिघन मनावहिं देव कुचाली।। तिन्हहि सोहाइ न अवध बधावा। चोरहि चंदिनि राति न भावा।। सारद बोलि बिनय सुर करहीं। बारहिं बार पाय लै परहीं।।

Musical instruments of many kinds played; the city's joy cannot be described. All pray for Bharat's arrival: come quickly and win the reward of our eyes. In markets, roads, houses, lanes and public platforms, the men and women say to each other: How many hours until tomorrow's auspicious moment, when God will fulfil our desire? Ram will sit with Sita on the golden throne — may that vision come true. All say: when will tomorrow come? But the gods, of crooked ways, pray for obstacles. The celebration of Ayodhya did not please them, just as a moonlit night is disliked by a thief. Calling Saraswati, the gods make their plea, again and again falling at her feet.

बिपति हमारि बिलोकि बड़ि मातु करिअ सोइ आजु। रामु जाहिं बन राजु तजि होइ सकल सुरकाजु।।11।।

(The gods pray:) Seeing our great calamity, O Mother Saraswati, do that today by which Ram, abandoning the kingdom, goes to the forest and the gods' whole purpose is fulfilled.

सुनि सुर बिनय ठाढ़ि पछिताती। भइउँ सरोज बिपिन हिमराती।। देखि देव पुनि कहहिं निहोरी। मातु तोहि नहिं थोरिउ खोरी।। बिसमय हरष रहित रघुराऊ। तुम्ह जानहु सब राम प्रभाऊ।। जीव करम बस सुख दुख भागी। जाइअ अवध देव हित लागी।। बार बार गहि चरन सँकोचौ। चली बिचारि बिबुध मति पोची।। ऊँच निवासु नीचि करतूती। देखि न सकहिं पराइ बिभूती।। आगिल काजु बिचारि बहोरी। करहहिं चाह कुसल कबि मोरी।। हरषि हृदयँ दसरथ पुर आई। जनु ग्रह दसा दुसह दुखदाई।।

Hearing the gods' plea, Saraswati stood lamenting: I have become like a frosty winter night to the lotus-grove (a destroyer of what is good). Seeing this, the gods again entreated her: Mother, not the slightest fault falls upon you. Shri Ram is beyond wonder and joy; you know all of Ram's glory. Souls, bound by their karma, are the sharers of pleasure and pain; go to Ayodhya, goddess, for the gods' good. Again and again grasping her feet, they made her hesitate; deeming the gods' understanding base, she set out. Their dwelling is high but their doings low; they cannot bear to see another's glory. Then, thinking of the task ahead and hoping that good poets would guard her reputation, Saraswati came, glad at heart, to Dasharath's city — like an unbearable, sorrow-giving planetary period.

नामु मंथरा मंदमति चेरी कैकेइ केरि। अजस पेटारी ताहि करि गई गिरा मति फेरि।।12।।

There was a dull-witted maidservant named Manthara, belonging to Kaikeyi. Making her a very basket of infamy and turning her mind, Saraswati (the goddess of speech) departed.

दीख मंथरा नगरु बनावा। मंजुल मंगल बाज बधावा।। पूछेसि लोगन्ह काह उछाहू। राम तिलकु सुनि भा उर दाहू।। करइ बिचारु कुबुद्धि कुजाती। होइ अकाजु कवनि बिधि राती।। देखि लागि मधु कुटिल किराती। जिमि गवँ तकइ लेउँ केहि भाँती।। भरत मातु पहिं गइ बिलखानी। का अनमनि हसि कह हँसि रानी।। ऊतरु देइ न लेइ उसासू। नारि चरित करि ढारइ आँसू।। हँसि कह रानि गालु बड़ तोरें। दीन्ह लखन सिख अस मन मोरें।। तबहुँ न बोल चेरि बड़ि पापिनि। छाड़इ स्वास कारि जनु साँपिनि।।

Manthara saw the city decorated, with sweet auspicious music and celebrations playing. She asked the people what the rejoicing was; hearing of Ram's consecration, her heart burned. That evil-minded, base-natured one plots: by what means may this good work be ruined overnight? Like a crooked huntress spying honey and scheming how to seize it, she went, downcast, to Bharat's mother Kaikeyi. 'Why so glum?' said the queen with a laugh. Manthara gives no answer, only sighs, and playing a woman's tricks, sheds tears. Laughing, the queen said: You are very bold of cheek; it seems Lakshman has taught you a lesson, so I think. Even then the wretched, sinful maid did not speak, hissing out her breath like a black she-serpent.

सभय रानि कह कहसि किन कुसल रामु महिपालु। लखनु भरतु रिपुदमनु सुनि भा कुबरी उर सालु।।13।।

Alarmed, the queen said: Why do you not speak — are Ram and King Dasharath well? And Lakshman, Bharat and Shatrughna the enemy-subduer? Hearing this, a pang stung the hunchback's heart.

कत सिख देइ हमहि कोउ माई। गालु करब केहि कर बलु पाई।। रामहि छाड़ि कुसल केहि आजू। जेहि जनेसु देइ जुबराजू।। भयउ कौसिलहि बिधि अति दाहिन। देखत गरब रहत उर नाहिन।। देखेहु कस न जाइ सब सोभा। जो अवलोकि मोर मनु छोभा।। पूतु बिदेस न सोचु तुम्हारें। जानति हहु बस नाहु हमारें।। नीद बहुत प्रिय सेज तुराई। लखहु न भूप कपट चतुराई।। सुनि प्रिय बचन मलिन मनु जानी। झुकी रानि अब रहु अरगानी।। पुनि अस कबहुँ कहसि घरफोरी। तब धरि जीभ कढ़ावउँ तोरी।।

(Manthara says:) Why should anyone instruct me, O mother? On whose strength would I be insolent? Except for Ram, whose good fortune is it today, to whom the king is giving the crown-prince's office? God has grown wholly favourable to Kausalya; seeing it, no pride is contained in her heart. Why do you not go and see all the splendour — the sight of which has stirred up my own mind? Your son is abroad and you have no care; you think your husband is under your control. Sleep and the soft mattress are very dear to you; you do not perceive the king's deceit and cunning. Hearing these dear yet bitter words and sensing her mind soured, the queen scolded: Now hold your tongue, you obstinate one! If you ever again speak such home-wrecking talk, I will seize your tongue and pull it out.

काने खोरे कूबरे कुटिल कुचाली जानि। तिय बिसेषि पुनि चेरि कहि भरतमातु मुसुकानि।।14।।

Knowing the one-eyed, the lame and the hunchbacked to be crooked and of evil ways — and a woman at that, and moreover a maidservant — Bharat's mother Kaikeyi smiled.

प्रियबादिनि सिख दीन्हिउँ तोही। सपनेहुँ तो पर कोपु न मोही।। सुदिनु सुमंगल दायकु सोई। तोर कहा फुर जेहि दिन होई।। जेठ स्वामि सेवक लघु भाई। यह दिनकर कुल रीति सुहाई।। राम तिलकु जौं साँचेहुँ काली। देउँ मागु मन भावत आली।। कौसल्या सम सब महतारी। रामहि सहज सुभायँ पिआरी।। मो पर करहिं सनेहु बिसेषी। मैं करि प्रीति परीछा देखी।। जौं बिधि जनमु देइ करि छोहू। होहुँ राम सिय पूत पुतोहू।। प्रान तें अधिक रामु प्रिय मोरें। तिन्ह कें तिलक छोभु कस तोरें।।

(Kaikeyi says:) O sweet-speaking one, I only gave you a mild rebuke; even in dream I bear no anger toward you. That will be the auspicious, fortune-giving day when what you say comes true. The elder is master and the younger brother his servant — this is the fine custom of the solar dynasty. If Ram's consecration is truly tomorrow, then ask, my friend, and I will give you whatever your heart desires. Like Kausalya, all the mothers are dear to Ram by his very nature; but he shows special love to me — I have proved his love by testing it. If God, out of grace, gives me birth again, may Ram and Sita be my son and daughter-in-law. Ram is dearer to me than my own life; how does his consecration distress you?

भरत सपथ तोहि सत्य कहु परिहरि कपट दुराउ। हरष समय बिसमउ करसि कारन मोहि सुनाउ।।15।।

I swear by Bharat — tell me truly, casting off all deceit and concealment: why do you show sorrow at a time of joy? Tell me the reason.

एकहिं बार आस सब पूजी। अब कछु कहब जीभ करि दूजी।। फोरै जोगु कपारु अभागा। भलेउ कहत दुख रउरेहि लागा।। कहहिं झूठि फुरि बात बनाई। ते प्रिय तुम्हहि करुइ मैं माई।। हमहुँ कहबि अब ठकुरसोहाती। नाहिं त मौन रहब दिनु राती।। करि कुरूप बिधि परबस कीन्हा। बवा सो लुनिअ लहिअ जो दीन्हा।। कोउ नृप होउ हमहि का हानी। चेरि छाड़ि अब होब कि रानी।। जारै जोगु सुभाउ हमारा। अनभल देखि न जाइ तुम्हारा।। तातें कछुक बात अनुसारी। छमिअ देबि बड़ि चूक हमारी।।

(Manthara says:) At one stroke all your hopes are fulfilled; now if I say more I would need a second tongue. My luckless, wretched skull deserves to be broken; even when I speak for your good, it pains you. Those who tell lies dressed up as tales are dear to you, but I, mother, am bitter. From now I too will speak only what flatters my master; otherwise I will keep silent day and night. God made me deformed and dependent on others; one reaps what one sows and gets what one is given. Let anyone be king — what do I lose? Will I, ceasing to be a maid, now become a queen? My nature deserves to be burnt, for I cannot bear to see harm come to you. That is why I broached the matter; forgive me, O goddess, this great fault of mine.

गूढ़ कपट प्रिय बचन सुनि तीय अधरबुधि रानि। सुरमाया बस बैरिनिहि सुह्द जानि पतिआनि।।16।।

Hearing these hidden, deceitful yet dear words, the shallow-witted queen — under the spell of the gods' Maya — trusted her enemy, believing her to be a true friend.

सादर पुनि पुनि पूँछति ओही। सबरी गान मृगी जनु मोही।। तसि मति फिरी अहइ जसि भाबी। रहसी चेरि घात जनु फाबी।। तुम्ह पूँछहु मैं कहत डेराऊँ। धरेउ मोर घरफोरी नाऊँ।। सजि प्रतीति बहुबिधि गढ़ि छोली। अवध साढ़साती तब बोली।। प्रिय सिय रामु कहा तुम्ह रानी। रामहि तुम्ह प्रिय सो फुरि बानी।। रहा प्रथम अब ते दिन बीते। समउ फिरें रिपु होहिं पिंरीते।। भानु कमल कुल पोषनिहारा। बिनु जल जारि करइ सोइ छारा।। जरि तुम्हारि चह सवति उखारी। रूँधहु करि उपाउ बर बारी।।

Again and again the queen respectfully questions her, like a doe enchanted by the hunter's song. Her mind turned just as destiny had ordained; the maid rejoiced, as if her scheme had struck home. (Manthara says:) You ask, but I am afraid to speak, for I have been branded a home-wrecker. Fashioning much conviction, shaping and polishing her words, this 'seven-and-a-half years' misfortune of Ayodhya' then said: You said, O queen, that Sita and Ram are dear to you, and that Ram loves you — that speech was true. It was so once, but those days are past; when times turn, even loved ones become foes. The sun nourishes the lotus family, yet without water that same sun burns them to ash. Your co-wife wishes to burn and uproot you; take measures and fence yourself in well.

तुम्हहि न सोचु सोहाग बल निज बस जानहु राउ। मन मलीन मुह मीठ नृप राउर सरल सुभाउ।।17।।

You have no worry, trusting in your present wifely fortune, thinking the king is in your control. But the king's mind is foul while his mouth is sweet, and your own nature is simple and unsuspecting.

चतुर गँभीर राम महतारी। बीचु पाइ निज बात सँवारी।। पठए भरतु भूप ननिअउरें। राम मातु मत जानव रउरें।। सेवहिं सकल सवति मोहि नीकें। गरबित भरत मातु बल पी कें।। सालु तुम्हार कौसिलहि माई। कपट चतुर नहिं होइ जनाई।। राजहि तुम्ह पर प्रेमु बिसेषी। सवति सुभाउ सकइ नहिं देखी।। रची प्रंपचु भूपहि अपनाई। राम तिलक हित लगन धराई।। यह कुल उचित राम कहुँ टीका। सबहि सोहाइ मोहि सुठि नीका।। आगिलि बात समुझि डरु मोही। देउ दैउ फिरि सो फलु ओही।।

(Manthara continues:) Ram's mother Kausalya is clever and deep; finding her chance, she has arranged her own affair. She had Bharat sent off to his maternal uncle's home — know this to be Ram's mother's plan. She thinks all the co-wives serve her well, that Bharat's mother is puffed up on her husband's strength. You are a thorn in Kausalya's side, O mother; being deceit-clever, she lets nothing show. The king has special love for you, which the co-wife by her nature cannot bear to see. She wove a plot, won over the king, and had the auspicious hour fixed for Ram's consecration. It is fitting for the dynasty — consecration for Ram; it pleases everyone, and to me too it seems very good. But thinking of what is to come, I am afraid; may God turn that fruit back upon her.

रचि पचि कोटिक कुटिलपन कीन्हेसि कपट प्रबोधु।। कहिसि कथा सत सवति कै जेहि बिधि बाढ़ बिरोधु।।18।।

Piling up and elaborating countless crooked devices, Manthara gave her deceitful counsel; she told hundreds of tales of co-wives, of the way enmity had grown between them.

भावी बस प्रतीति उर आई। पूँछ रानि पुनि सपथ देवाई।। का पूछहुँ तुम्ह अबहुँ न जाना। निज हित अनहित पसु पहिचाना।। भयउ पाखु दिन सजत समाजू। तुम्ह पाई सुधि मोहि सन आजू।। खाइअ पहिरिअ राज तुम्हारें। सत्य कहें नहिं दोषु हमारें।। जौं असत्य कछु कहब बनाई। तौ बिधि देइहि हमहि सजाई।। रामहि तिलक कालि जौं भयऊ। तुम्ह कहुँ बिपति बीजु बिधि बयऊ।। रेख खँचाइ कहउँ बलु भाषी। भामिनि भइहु दूध कइ माखी।। जौं सुत सहित करहु सेवकाई। तौ घर रहहु न आन उपाई।।

By force of destiny, belief entered the queen's heart; she asks again, making Manthara swear an oath. (Manthara says:) What do you ask — do you still not understand? Even beasts know their own good and harm. For a whole fortnight the preparations have been going on, and you learned of it from me only today. I eat and dress in your kingdom; there is no fault of mine in telling the truth. If I say anything false and made up, then God will punish me. If Ram's consecration takes place tomorrow, then God has sown the seed of calamity for you. Drawing a line, I say it with full force: O lady, you will become like a fly in milk (to be cast out). If you serve alongside your son, then you may stay in the house — there is no other way.

कद्रूँ बिनतहि दीन्ह दुखु तुम्हहि कौसिलाँ देब। भरतु बंदिगृह सेइहहिं लखनु राम के नेब।।19।।

Just as Kadru gave sorrow to Vinata, so will Kausalya give sorrow to you. Bharat will dwell in prison, and Lakshman will be Ram's deputy.

कैकयसुता सुनत कटु बानी। कहि न सकइ कछु सहमि सुखानी।। तन पसेउ कदली जिमि काँपी। कुबरीं दसन जीभ तब चाँपी।। कहि कहि कोटिक कपट कहानी। धीरजु धरहु प्रबोधिसि रानी।। फिरा करमु प्रिय लागि कुचाली। बकिहि सराहइ मानि मराली।। सुनु मंथरा बात फुरि तोरी। दहिनि आँखि नित फरकइ मोरी।। दिन प्रति देखउँ राति कुसपने। कहउँ न तोहि मोह बस अपने।। काह करौ सखि सूध सुभाऊ। दाहिन बाम न जानउँ काऊ।।

Hearing Manthara's bitter words, Kaikeyi was so stunned with fear that she could say nothing and seemed to wither; her body sweated and trembled like a banana plant, and the hunchback bit her tongue in worry. Telling countless deceitful tales, Manthara consoled the queen and urged her to keep patience. Now fate turned so that the wicked scheme became dear to Kaikeyi, and she praised the babbling maid as though she were a graceful swan, saying: 'Listen, Manthara, your words are true. My right eye keeps throbbing, and every night I see bad dreams, but under delusion I never told you. What can I do, friend? My nature is simple and honest; I never knew right from wrong.'

अपने चलत न आजु लगि अनभल काहुक कीन्ह। केहिं अघ एकहि बार मोहि दैअँ दुसह दुखु दीन्ह।।20।।

'In my whole life till today, by my own doing, I have never harmed anyone. For which sin has destiny suddenly given me this unbearable sorrow all at once?'

नैहर जनमु भरब बरु जाइ। जिअत न करबि सवति सेवकाई।। अरि बस दैउ जिआवत जाही। मरनु नीक तेहि जीवन चाही।। दीन बचन कह बहुबिधि रानी। सुनि कुबरीं तियमाया ठानी।। अस कस कहहु मानि मन ऊना। सुखु सोहागु तुम्ह कहुँ दिन दूना।। जेहिं राउर अति अनभल ताका। सोइ पाइहि यहु फलु परिपाका।। जब तें कुमत सुना मैं स्वामिनि। भूख न बासर नींद न जामिनि।। पूँछेउ गुनिन्ह रेख तिन्ह खाँची। भरत भुआल होहिं यह साँची।। भामिनि करहु त कहौं उपाऊ। है तुम्हरीं सेवा बस राऊ।।

'I would rather spend my whole life at my parents' home, but while I live I will never serve a co-wife; one whom God keeps alive under an enemy's power is better off dead than living such a life.' As the queen spoke such piteous words, the hunchback set to work her womanly deceit: 'Why speak so and feel low in heart? Your happiness and good fortune will double by the day; the one who wished you great harm will now reap the ripe fruit of her scheme. Since I heard this evil plot, mistress, I have had no hunger by day nor sleep by night. I asked the astrologers, and they drew their charts — it is certain that Bharat will become king. O lovely lady, if you act, I will tell you the plan, for the king is bound by devotion to your service.'

परउँ कूप तुअ बचन पर सकउँ पूत पति त्यागि। कहसि मोर दुखु देखि बड़ कस न करब हित लागि।।21।।

'On your word I would leap into a well, and I could even forsake my son and husband. When you, seeing my great sorrow, tell me this, why would I not do it for your good?'

कुबरीं करि कबुली कैकेई। कपट छुरी उर पाहन टेई।। लखइ न रानि निकट दुखु कैंसे। चरइ हरित तिन बलिपसु जैसें।। सुनत बात मृदु अंत कठोरी। देति मनहुँ मधु माहुर घोरी।। कहइ चेरि सुधि अहइ कि नाही। स्वामिनि कहिहु कथा मोहि पाहीं।। दुइ बरदान भूप सन थाती। मागहु आजु जुड़ावहु छाती।। सुतहि राजु रामहि बनवासू। देहु लेहु सब सवति हुलासु।। भूपति राम सपथ जब करई। तब मागेहु जेहिं बचनु न टरई।। होइ अकाजु आजु निसि बीतें। बचनु मोर प्रिय मानेहु जी तें।।

Having made Kaikeyi consent, the hunchback drove the knife of deceit into the stone of her heart; the queen could not see the sorrow so near, like a sacrificial animal grazing green grass unaware. Speaking words soft at first but cruel in the end, as if pouring poison mixed in honey, the maid said: 'Do you remember, mistress, or not? Tell me the tale yourself. Two boons lie deposited with the king; ask them today and cool your heart. Give the kingdom to your son and forest-exile to Ram — take everything, to the delight of the co-wife. When the king swears by Ram, then ask, so that his word cannot be turned back. If tonight passes, the chance will be ruined; hold my words dear in your heart.'

बड़ कुघातु करि पातकिनि कहेसि कोपगृहँ जाहु। काजु सँवारेहु सजग सबु सहसा जनि पतिआहु।।22।।

Having done great mischief, the sinful maid said: 'Go to the anger-chamber. Arrange everything alertly, and do not suddenly believe or trust the king.'

कुबरिहि रानि प्रानप्रिय जानी। बार बार बड़ि बुद्धि बखानी।। तोहि सम हित न मोर संसारा। बहे जात कइ भइसि अधारा।। जौं बिधि पुरब मनोरथु काली। करौं तोहि चख पूतरि आली।। बहुबिधि चेरिहि आदरु देई। कोपभवन गवनि कैकेई।। बिपति बीजु बरषा रितु चेरी। भुइँ भइ कुमति कैकेई केरी।। पाइ कपट जलु अंकुर जामा। बर दोउ दल दुख फल परिनामा।। कोप समाजु साजि सबु सोई। राजु करत निज कुमति बिगोई।। राउर नगर कोलाहलु होई। यह कुचालि कछु जान न कोई।।

The queen, holding the hunchback dear as her own life, praised her wisdom again and again: 'There is no well-wisher like you for me in the whole world; you have become the support of one being swept away. If God fulfills my desire tomorrow, I will make you the very pupil of my eye, friend.' Honoring the maid in many ways, Kaikeyi went off to the anger-chamber. The maid was the rainy season for the seed of calamity, and Kaikeyi's evil mind became its soil; getting the water of deceit the sprout grew, the two boons its leaves, and in the end sorrow its fruit. Arranging all the trappings of anger she lay down, ruining herself by her own evil counsel even while she held the kingdom. There was rejoicing and bustle in the palace and city, and no one knew anything of this wicked plot.

प्रमुदित पुर नर नारि। सब सजहिं सुमंगलचार। एक प्रबिसहिं एक निर्गमहिं भीर भूप दरबार।।23।।

The men and women of the city were delighted; all were making preparations for the auspicious celebration. Some were entering and some going out; there was a great crowd at the king's court.

बाल सखा सुन हियँ हरषाहीं। मिलि दस पाँच राम पहिं जाहीं।। प्रभु आदरहिं प्रेमु पहिचानी। पूँछहिं कुसल खेम मृदु बानी।। फिरहिं भवन प्रिय आयसु पाई। करत परसपर राम बड़ाई।। को रघुबीर सरिस संसारा। सीलु सनेह निबाहनिहारा। जेंहि जेंहि जोनि करम बस भ्रमहीं। तहँ तहँ ईसु देउ यह हमहीं।। सेवक हम स्वामी सियनाहू। होउ नात यह ओर निबाहू।। अस अभिलाषु नगर सब काहू। कैकयसुता ह्दयँ अति दाहू।। को न कुसंगति पाइ नसाई। रहइ न नीच मतें चतुराई।।

Ram's childhood friends rejoiced in their hearts and went to him in groups of five and ten; the Lord honored them, recognizing their love, and asked their welfare in gentle words. Receiving their beloved's leave they returned home, praising Ram to one another: 'Who in the world is like Raghubir, who upholds good character and affection to the end? In whatever wombs we wander by force of karma, may God grant us only this everywhere — that we be servants and Sita's Lord our master, and this bond be kept to the end.' Such was everyone's wish in the city; but Kaikeyi's heart burned fiercely. Who is not ruined by falling into bad company? Cleverness cannot survive under the counsel of the base.

साँस समय सानंद नृपु गयउ कैकेई गेहँ। गवनु निठुरता निकट किय जनु धरि देह सनेहँ।।24।।

At evening the king went joyfully to Kaikeyi's house; but his going brought cruelty near, as though affection itself, taking a body, had walked up to harshness.

कोपभवन सुनि सकुचेउ राउ। भय बस अगहुड़ परइ न पाऊ।। सुरपति बसइ बाहँबल जाके। नरपति सकल रहहिं रुख ताकें।। सो सुनि तिय रिस गयउ सुखाई। देखहु काम प्रताप बड़ाई।। सूल कुलिस असि अँगवनिहारे। ते रतिनाथ सुमन सर मारे।। सभय नरेसु प्रिया पहिं गयऊ। देखि दसा दुखु दारुन भयऊ।। भूमि सयन पटु मोट पुराना। दिए डारि तन भूषण नाना।। कुमतिहि कसि कुबेषता फाबी। अन अहिवातु सूच जनु भाबी।। जाइ निकट नृपु कह मृदु बानी। प्रानप्रिया केहि हेतु रिसानी।।

Hearing 'anger-chamber,' the king faltered, and out of fear his feet would not step forward. He in whose arm-strength even Indra takes refuge, at whose glance all kings stay obedient, wilted with dread on hearing his wife was angry — behold the glory of Kama! Those who wield spear, thunderbolt and sword, the God of love struck down with mere flower-arrows. The frightened king went to his beloved and, seeing her state, felt terrible grief: she lay on the bare ground in old coarse cloth, her many ornaments cast off. How that ugly attire suited the evil-minded queen, as if foretelling the loss of her husband's life. Coming close, the king spoke gently: 'Dear as my life, for what reason are you angry?'

केहि हेतु रानि रिसानि परसत पानि पतिहि नेवारई। मानहुँ सरोष भुअंग भामिनि बिषम भाँति निहारई।। दोउ बासना रसना दसन बर मरम ठाहरु देखई। तुलसी नृपति भवतब्यता बस काम कौतुक लेखई।।

'For what reason, O queen, are you angry?' As the king touches her, she thrusts away his hand and, like an enraged serpent, glares at him fiercely. Her two demands are like the serpent's tongue and its sharp teeth, and she watches for the vital spot to strike. Tulsidas says the king, in the grip of destiny, took all this to be the playful sport of love.

बार बार कह राउ सुमुखि सुलोचिनि पिकबचनि। कारन मोहि सुनाउ गजगामिनि निज कोप कर।।25।।

Again and again the king says: 'O fair-faced one, O beautiful-eyed one, O sweet cuckoo-voiced one, O one with the gait of an elephant — tell me the reason for your anger.'

अनहित तोर प्रिया केइँ कीन्हा। केहि दुइ सिर केहि जमु चह लीन्हा।। कहु केहि रंकहि करौ नरेसू। कहु केहि नृपहि निकासौं देसू।। सकउँ तोर अरि अमरउ मारी। काह कीट बपुरे नर नारी।। जानसि मोर सुभाउ बरोरू। मनु तव आनन चंद चकोरू।। प्रिया प्रान सुत सरबसु मोरें। परिजन प्रजा सकल बस तोरें।। जौं कछु कहौ कपटु करि तोही। भामिनि राम सपथ सत मोही।। बिहसि मागु मनभावति बाता। भूषन सजहि मनोहर गाता।। घरी कुघरी समुझि जियँ देखू। बेगि प्रिया परिहरहि कुबेषू।।

'Beloved, who has done you harm? Who is tired of his life, whom does Yama wish to take? Say, which king shall I make a pauper, and which pauper a king? Whom shall I banish from the land? I can slay your enemy even were he a god — what are wretched men and women but insects? You know my nature, O lovely one; my mind is the chakor bird to the moon of your face. Beloved, my life, my sons, my all are yours, and household and subjects are all in your control. If I speak to you with any deceit, O lady, may a hundred oaths by Ram fall on me. Smile and ask whatever your heart desires, and adorn your lovely body with ornaments; consider the right and wrong moment in your heart, and quickly, beloved, give up this ugly guise.'

यह सुनि मन गुनि सपथ बड़ि बिहसि उठी मतिमंद। भूषन सजति बिलोकि मृगु मनहुँ किरातिनि फंद।।26।।

Hearing this and pondering the great oath he had sworn, the dull-witted queen rose smiling and began to adorn herself with ornaments — as if a huntress, having sighted a deer, were laying her snare.

पुनि कह राउ सुह्रद जियँ जानी। प्रेम पुलकि मृदु मंजुल बानी।। भामिनि भयउ तोर मनभावा। घर घर नगर अनंद बधावा।। रामहि देउँ कालि जुबराजू। सजहि सुलोचनि मंगल साजू।। दलकि उठेउ सुनि ह्रदउ कठोरू। जनु छुइ गयउ पाक बरतोरू।। ऐसिउ पीर बिहसि तेहि गोई। चोर नारि जिमि प्रगटि न रोई।। लखहिं न भूप कपट चतुराई। कोटि कुटिल मनि गुरू पढ़ाई।। जद्यपि नीति निपुन नरनाहू। नारिचरित जलनिधि अवगाहू।। कपट सनेहु बढ़ाइ बहोरी। बोली बिहसि नयन मुहु मोरी।।

Then the king, taking her for a well-wisher and thrilled with love, spoke soft and charming words: 'O lady, your wish is fulfilled; there is joy and celebration in every house of the city. Tomorrow I will make Ram the crown-prince; O beautiful-eyed one, prepare the auspicious things.' Hearing this her hard heart throbbed with pain, as if a ripe boil had been touched, yet she hid even that pain with a smile, like a thief-woman who dares not cry out openly. The king could not detect her deceitful cunning, as though a million crafty preceptors had schooled her; though skilled in statecraft, a woman's ways are an unfathomable ocean. Then, swelling her false affection, she spoke with a smile, turning her eyes and face:

मागु मागु पै कहहु पिय कबहुँ न देहु न लेहु। देन कहेहु बरदान दुइ तेउ पावत संदेहु।।27।।

'You keep saying "ask, ask," but O beloved, you never really give or keep your word. You said you would grant me two boons, yet even in getting those I have doubt.'

जानेउँ मरमु राउ हँसि कहई। तुम्हहि कोहाब परम प्रिय अहई।। थाति राखि न मागिहु काऊ। बिसरि गयउ मोहि भोर सुभाऊ।। झूठेहुँ हमहि दोषु जनि देहू। दुइ कै चारि मागि मकु लेहू।। रघुकुल रीति सदा चलि आई। प्रान जाहुँ बरु बचनु न जाई।। नहिं असत्य सम पातक पुंजा। गिरि सम होहिं कि कोटिक गुंजा।। सत्यमूल सब सुकृत सुहाए। बेद पुरान बिदित मनु गाए।। तेहि पर राम सपथ करि आई। सुकृत सनेह अवधि रघुराई।। बात दृढ़ाइ कुमति हँसि बोली। कुमत कुबिहग कुलह जनु खोली।।

'I know the secret,' the king says with a laugh; 'sulking is very dear to you. You kept the boons as a deposit and never asked, and in the morning I forgot my nature. Do not falsely blame me — ask two, or take four if you like. The custom of the Raghu line has ever run thus: life may go, but the given word is never broken. There is no heap of sin like falsehood; can millions of tiny gunja-seeds ever match a mountain? All good deeds are beautiful only when rooted in truth — this the Vedas and Puranas declare and Manu has sung. And on top of that I have come having sworn by Ram, the very limit of virtue and love.' Confirming his pledge, the evil-minded queen laughed, as if uncovering the cage of an ill-omened bird of wicked counsel.

भूप मनोरथ सुभग बनु सुख सुबिहंग समाजु। भिल्लनि जिमि छाड़न चहति बचनु भयंकरु बाजु।।28।।

The king's cherished desire was a lovely forest and his joys a flock of beautiful birds; and like a huntress, Kaikeyi was about to loose upon them the terrible hawk of her word to destroy them all.

सुनहु प्रानप्रिय भावत जी का। देहु एक बर भरतहि टीका।। मागउँ दूसर बर कर जोरी। पुरवहु नाथ मनोरथ मोरी।। तापस बेष बिसेषि उदासी। चौदह बरिस रामु बनबासी।। सुनि मृदु बचन भूप हियँ सोकू। ससि कर छुअत बिकल जिमि कोकू।। गयउ सहमि नहिं कछु कहि आवा। जनु सचान बन झपटेउ लावा।। बिबरन भयउ निपट नरपालू। दामिनि हनेउ मनहुँ तरु तालू।। माथे हाथ मूदि दोउ लोचन। तनु धरि सोचु लाग जनु सोचन।। मोर मनोरथु सुरतरु फूला। फरत करिनि जिमि हतेउ समूला।। अवध उजारि कीन्हि कैकेईं। दीन्हसि अचल बिपति कै नेईं।।

'Listen, dear as my life, what pleases my heart: grant one boon — the crown to Bharat; and I ask the second with folded hands — fulfill it, my Lord — that in ascetic's garb, wholly renounced, Ram dwell in the forest for fourteen years.' Hearing these soft words grief seized the king's heart, like the chakva bird tormented by the touch of moonbeams. He was struck dumb with shock and could say nothing, as if a falcon had pounced on a quail; he turned utterly pale, as if lightning had struck a palm tree. With his hands on his head and both eyes shut, he sat holding himself, as if grief itself sat there embodied: 'My desire, which had blossomed like the wish-tree, Kaikeyi has torn up by the roots like a she-elephant; she has laid waste Ayodhya and planted the unshakeable seedbed of calamity.'

कवनें अवसर का भयउ गयउँ नारि बिस्वास। जोग सिद्धि फल समय जिमि जतिहि अबिद्या नास।।29।।

'At what a moment, and what has befallen! I trusted a woman — just as at the very time of reaping the fruit of yogic accomplishment, ignorance destroys an ascetic's attainment.'

एहि बिधि राउ मनहिं मन झाँखा। देखि कुभाँति कुमति मन माखा।। भरतु कि राउर पूत न होहीं। आनेहु मोल बेसाहि कि मोही।। जो सुनि सरु अस लाग तुम्हारें। काहे न बोलहु बचनु सँभारे।। देहु उतरु अनु करहु कि नाहीं। सत्यसंध तुम्ह रघुकुल माहीं।। देन कहेहु अब जनि बरु देहू। तजहुँ सत्य जग अपजसु लेहू।। सत्य सराहि कहेहु बरु देना। जानेहु लेइहि मागि चबेना।। सिबि दधीचि बलि जो कछु भाषा। तनु धनु तजेउ बचन पनु राखा।। अति कटु बचन कहति कैकेई। मानहुँ लोन जरे पर देई।।

Thus the king grieved within his mind, and seeing his displeasure Kaikeyi grew angry at heart: 'Is Bharat not your son? Or have you bought me for a price as a slave? If my words strike you like an arrow, why do you not speak with care? Give an answer — yes or no, will you do it or not? You are the truthful one of the Raghu line. You said you would grant, and now you refuse the boon; forsake truth and earn the world's infamy. Praising truth you promised a boon, thinking she would ask only for parched grain, a mere trifle. Whatever Shibi, Dadhichi and Bali promised, they gave up body and wealth but kept the vow of their word.' Kaikeyi spoke these most bitter words, as if rubbing salt on a burn.

धरम धुरंधर धीर धरि नयन उघारे रायँ। सिरु धुनि लीन्हि उसास असि मारेसि मोहि कुठायँ।।30।।

Bearing the burden of dharma, the steadfast king summoned his firmness and opened his eyes; beating his head and heaving a sigh, he said, 'She has struck me in a fatal spot.'

आगें दीखि जरत रिस भारी। मनहुँ रोष तरवारि उघारी।। मूठि कुबुद्धि धार निठुराई। धरी कूबरीं सान बनाई।। लखी महीप कराल कठोरा। सत्य कि जीवनु लेइहि मोरा।। बोले राउ कठिन करि छाती। बानी सबिनय तासु सोहाती।। प्रिया बचन कस कहसि कुभाँती। भीर प्रतीति प्रीति करि हाँती।। मोरें भरतु रामु दुइ आँखी। सत्य कहउँ करि संकरू साखी।। अवसि दूतु मैं पठइब प्राता। ऐहहिं बेगि सुनत दोउ भ्राता।। सुदिन सोधि सबु साजु सजाई। देउँ भरत कहुँ राजु बजाई।।

He saw her before him burning with fierce fury, as if wrath had bared its sword — its hilt her evil intellect, its edge her cruelty, honed sharp by the hunchback like a whetstone. Seeing her so terrible and hard, the king wondered, 'Will keeping my truth cost me my very life?' Hardening his heart, he spoke humble words meant to please her: 'Beloved, why do you speak so harshly, casting off trust, faith and love? Bharat and Ram are my two eyes — I say it truly, with Shankar as my witness. I will surely send a messenger at dawn, and hearing it both brothers will come quickly; then, finding an auspicious day and making all arrangements, I will proudly give Bharat the kingdom.'

लोभु न रामहि राजु कर बहुत भरत पर प्रीति। मैं बड़ छोट बिचारि जियँ करत रहेउँ नृपनीति।।31।।

'Ram has no greed for the kingdom; he has great love for Bharat. It was only considering elder and younger in my heart that I was following royal custom (in offering the throne to Ram first).'

राम सपथ सत कहुउँ सुभाऊ। राममातु कछु कहेउ न काऊ।। मैं सबु कीन्ह तोहि बिनु पूँछें। तेहि तें परेउ मनोरथु छूछें।। रिस परिहरू अब मंगल साजू। कछु दिन गएँ भरत जुबराजू।। एकहि बात मोहि दुखु लागा। बर दूसर असमंजस मागा।। अजहुँ हृदय जरत तेहि आँचा। रिस परिहास कि साँचेहुँ साँचा।। कहु तजि रोषु राम अपराधू। सबु कोउ कहइ रामु सुठि साधू।। तुहूँ सराहसि करसि सनेहू। अब सुनि मोहि भयउ संदेहू।। जासु सुभाउ अरिहि अनुकूला। सो किमि करिहि मातु प्रतिकूला।।

'I swear a hundred times by Ram and speak my true feeling — Ram's mother never said anything to me. I did all this without asking you, and so your wish fell empty. Give up your anger now and prepare the auspicious rites; after a few days Bharat will be crown-prince. Only one thing pains me — the second boon you asked is a dreadful dilemma. Even now my heart burns with that flame: is it anger, or a jest, or truly meant? Set aside your wrath and tell me — what is Ram's offense? Everyone calls Ram a most virtuous saint; you too used to praise him and show him love. Now hearing you I am filled with doubt: he whose nature is kind even to an enemy, how could he ever act against his mother?'

प्रिया हास रिस परिहरहि मागु बिचारि बिबेकु। जेहिं देखाँ अब नयन भरि भरत राज अभिषेकु।।32।।

'Beloved, give up laughter and anger, and ask with thought and discernment, so that I may now behold, with eyes brimming with joy, Bharat's royal coronation.'

जिऐ मीन बरू बारि बिहीना। मनि बिनु फनिकु जिऐ दुख दीना।। कहउँ सुभाउ न छलु मन माहीं। जीवनु मोर राम बिनु नाहीं।। समुझि देखु जियँ प्रिया प्रबीना। जीवनु राम दरस आधीना।। सुनि म्रदु बचन कुमति अति जरई। मनहुँ अनल आहुति घृत परई।। कहइ करहु किन कोटि उपाया। इहाँ न लागिहि राउरि माया।। देहु कि लेहु अजसु करि नाहीं। मोहि न बहुत प्रपंच सोहाहीं। रामु साधु तुम्ह साधु सयाने। राममातु भलि सब पहिचाने।। जस कौसिलाँ मोर भल ताका। तस फलु उन्हहि देउँ करि साका।।

'A fish might live without water, and a serpent live wretchedly without its gem, but I speak my true heart with no guile: there is no life for me without Ram. Consider well in your heart, O clever beloved — my life depends on the sight of Ram.' Hearing these gentle words the evil-minded queen burned all the more, as if ghee had been poured as oblation on fire. She said: 'Why don't you try a million contrivances? Your trickery will not work here. Say yes or no plainly, do not act by deceit; too much scheming does not please me. Ram is a saint, and you a wise saint, and Ram's mother — all are well known to me! Just as Kausalya has sought my welfare, so shall I repay them the same fruit, resolved to see it through come what may.'

होत प्रात मुनिबेष धरि जौं न रामु बन जाहिं। मोर मरनु राउर अजस नृप समुझिअ मन माहिं।।33।।

'If tomorrow morning Ram does not put on a sage's garb and go to the forest, then know this in your heart, O king — my death and your infamy are certain.'

अस कहि कुटिल भई उठि ठाढ़ी। मानहुँ रोष तरंगिनि बाढ़ी।। पाप पहार प्रगट भइ सोई। भरी क्रोध जल जाइ न जोई।। दोउ बर कूल कठिन हठ धारा। भवँर कूबरी बचन प्रचारा।। ढाहत भूपरूप तरु मूला। चली बिपति बारिधि अनुकूला।। लखी नरेस बात फुरि साँची। तिय मिस मीचु सीस पर नाची।। गहि पद बिनय कीन्ह बैठारी। जनि दिनकर कुल होसि कुठारी।। मागु माथ अबहीं देउँ तोही। राम बिरहँ जनि मारसि मोही।। राखु राम कहुँ जेहि तेहि भाँती। नाहिं त जरिहि जनम भरि छाती।।

Saying this the crooked queen rose and stood up, as though a river of wrath had risen in flood — springing from the mountain of sin, filled with the waters of anger, too fierce to look upon. The two boons were its steep banks, her stubborn obstinacy the swift current, and the hunchback's words the whirlpool that drove it on; toppling the tree of the king's very being at its roots, the flood of calamity flowed on unchecked. The king saw the matter was firmly true, and in the woman's guise death danced upon his head. Clasping her feet and seating her, he pleaded humbly: 'Do not become an axe to the Solar dynasty. Ask even for your son's head and I will give it at once, only do not kill me with separation from Ram. Keep Ram here by whatever means, or else my heart will burn all my life.'

देखी ब्याधि असाध नृपु परेउ धरनि धुनि माथ। कहत परम आरत बचन राम राम रघुनाथ।।34।।

Seeing the disease incurable, the king fell to the ground, beating his head, and uttered most anguished words: 'Ram, Ram, Raghunath!'

ब्याकुल राउ सिथिल सब गाता। करिनि कलपतरु मनहुँ निपाता।। कंठु सूख मुख आव न बानी। जनु पाठीनु दीन बिनु पानी।। पुनि कह कटु कठोर कैकेई। मनहुँ घाय महुँ माहुर देई।। जौं अंतहुँ अस करतबु रहेऊ। मागु मागु तुम्ह केहिं बल कहेऊ।। दुइ कि होइ एक समय भुआला। हँसब ठठाइ फुलाउब गाला।। दानि कहाउब अरु कृपनाई। होइ कि खेम कुसल रौताई।। छाड़हु बचनु कि धीरजु धरहू। जनि अबला जिमि करुना करहू।। तनु तिय तनय धामु धनु धरनी। सत्यसंध कहुँ तृन सम बरनी।।

The king was distraught, all his limbs gone limp, as though a she-elephant had felled the wish-fulfilling tree; his throat dried up and no words came, like a fish wretched without water. Again Kaikeyi spoke bitter, harsh words, as if pouring poison into a wound: 'If in the end you meant to behave like this, on whose strength did you say "ask, ask"? Can two things happen at once, O king — to laugh heartily and to puff your cheeks in pride and anger? Can one be called generous and be miserly too, and still keep welfare, safety and lordship? Give up either your word or hold your courage; do not wail like a helpless weak woman. Body, wife, son, home, wealth and land — the truthful man counts them all worthless as a blade of grass.'

मरम बचन सुनि राउ कह कहु कछु दोषु न तोर। लागेउ तोहि पिसाच जिमि कालु कहावत मोर।।35।।

Hearing her piercing words the king said: 'Speak on — no fault is yours. Some demon has possessed you, and it is becoming my death.'

चहत न भरत भूपतहि भोरें। बिधि बस कुमति बसी जिय तोरें।। सो सबु मोर पाप परिनामू। भयउ कुठाहर जेहिं बिधि बामू।। सुबस बसिहि फिरि अवध सुहाई। सब गुन धाम राम प्रभुताई।। करिहहिं भाइ सकल सेवकाई। होइहि तिहुँ पुर राम बड़ाई।। तोर कलंकु मोर पछिताऊ। मुएहुँ न मिटहि न जाइहि काऊ।। अब तोहि नीक लाग करु सोई। लोचन ओट बैठु मुहु गोई।। जब लगि जिऔं कहउँ कर जोरी। तब लगि जनि कछु कहसि बहोरी।। फिरि पछितैहसि अंत अभागी। मारसि गाइ नहारु लागी।।

'Bharat does not want the kingdom even unwittingly; by fate's decree an evil intelligence has lodged in your heart. All this is the fruit of my sin, by which destiny turned adverse at so wrong a time. Lovely Ayodhya will yet flourish again, for such is the majesty of Ram, the home of all virtues; his brothers will all serve him and his glory will spread through the three worlds. But your stain and my remorse will not be wiped away even by death, nor ever depart. Now do whatever seems good to you; sit hidden from my sight, concealing your face. As long as I live, I beg you with folded hands, do not say anything more. In the end you will repent, O luckless one — you are slaying me as a cow is killed for a strip of hide.'

परेउ राउ कहि कोटि बिधि काहे करसि निदानु। कपट सयानि न कहति कछु जागति मनहुँ मसानु।।36।।

The king fell down pleading in a myriad ways, 'Why do you bring about this ruin?' But the cunning woman said nothing, sitting like an awakened corpse, unmoved.

राम राम रट बिकल भुआलू। जनु बिनु पंख बिहंग बेहालू।। हृदयँ मनाव भोरु जनि होई। रामहि जाइ कहै जनि कोई।। उदउ करहु जनि रबि रघुकुल गुर। अवध बिलोकि सूल होइहि उर।। भूप प्रीति कैकइ कठिनाई। उभय अवधि बिधि रची बनाई।। बिलपत नृपहि भयउ भिनुसारा। बीना बेनु संख धुनि द्वारा।। पढ़हिं भाट गुन गावहिं गायक। सुनत नृपहि जनु लागहिं सायक।। मंगल सकल सोहाहिं न कैसें। सहगामिनिहि बिभूषन जैसें।। तेहिं निसि नीद परी नहि काहू। राम दरस लालसा उछाहू।।

The distraught king kept chanting 'Ram, Ram,' as miserable as a bird without wings, praying in his heart: 'Let dawn not break, and let no one go and tell Ram. Do not rise, O Sun, preceptor of the Raghu line — seeing Ayodhya, your heart too will ache.' The king's love and Kaikeyi's hardness fate had fashioned each to the utmost extreme. As the king lamented, day broke, and at the door came the sounds of vina, flute and conch; bards recited and singers sang his praises, but to the king it was as if arrows were striking him. None of the auspicious sounds pleased him at all, like ornaments on a woman about to burn with her husband. That night no one slept, in the eager longing for the sight of Ram.

द्वार भीर सेवक सचिव कहहिं उदित रबि देखि। जागेउ अजहुँ न अवधपति कारनु कवनु बिसेषि।।37।।

There was a crowd at the door, and the servants and ministers, seeing the sun risen, said: 'The lord of Ayodhya has not woken even now — what special reason can there be?'

पछिले पहर भूपु नित जागा। आजु हमहि बड़ अचरजु लागा।। जाहु सुमंत्र जगावहु जाई। कीजिअ काजु रजायसु पाई।। गए सुमंत्रु तब राउर माही। देखि भयावन जात डेराहीं।। धाइ खाइ जनु जाइ न हेरा। मानहुँ बिपति बिषाद बसेरा।। पूछें कोउ न ऊतरु देई। गए जेंहिं भवन भूप कैकैई।। कहि जयजीव बैठ सिरु नाई। दैखि भूप गति गयउ सुखाई।। सोच बिकल बिबरन महि परेऊ। मानहुँ कमल मूलु परिहरेऊ।। सचिउ सभीत सकइ नहिं पूँछी। बोली असुभ भरी सुभ छूछी।।

'The king always wakes in the last watch of night; today we feel great astonishment. Go, Sumantra, wake him, and let the work be done once his command is received.' Then Sumantra went into the palace, and seeing it so fearful he was frightened as he went, as if it would rush and devour him — he could not even bear to look, as though calamity and gloom had taken up abode there. When he asked, no one answered, so he went to the chamber where the king and Kaikeyi were; saying 'Victory and long life!' he bowed his head and sat, but seeing the king's condition he was dismayed. Distraught with grief and pale, the king lay on the ground, as if a lotus had been torn from its root. The frightened minister could not bring himself to ask, and Kaikeyi spoke, full of ill omen and empty of anything good:

परी न राजहि नीद निसि हेतु जान जगदीसु। रामु रामु रटि भोरु किय कहइ न मरमु महीसु।।38।।

'The king got no sleep all night; only the Lord of the world knows the reason. Chanting "Ram, Ram" he passed the time till dawn, but the king does not reveal the secret of his heart.'

आनहु रामहि बेगि बोलाई। समाचार तब पूँछेहु आई।। चलेउ सुमंत्र राय रूख जानी। लखी कुचालि कीन्हि कछु रानी।। सोच बिकल मग परइ न पाऊ। रामहि बोलि कहिहि का राऊ।। उर धरि धीरजु गयउ दुआरें। पूछँहिं सकल देखि मनु मारें।। समाधानु करि सो सबही का। गयउ जहाँ दिनकर कुल टीका।। रामु सुमंत्रहि आवत देखा। आदरु कीन्ह पिता सम लेखा।। निरखि बदनु कहि भूप रजाई। रघुकुलदीपहि चलेउ लेवाई।। रामु कुभाँति सचिव सँग जाहीं। देखि लोग जहँ तहँ बिलखाहीं।।

'Go quickly and bring Ram, calling him here; then come and ask the news.' Sumantra set out, understanding the king's wish and perceiving the queen had wrought some mischief. Distraught with grief, his feet would scarcely fall on the path, wondering what the king would say once Ram was summoned. Steeling his heart he went to the door, where all, seeing him crestfallen, questioned him; reassuring them all, he went to where Ram, the glory of the Solar dynasty, was. Ram, seeing Sumantra approach, honored him as he would his own father; looking at his face and conveying the king's command, Sumantra set off leading Ram, the lamp of the Raghu line. As Ram went sorrowfully along with the minister, the people, seeing it, grieved here and there.

जाइ दीख रघुबंसमनि नरपति निपट कुसाजु।। सहमि परेउ लखि सिंघिनिहि मनहुँ बृद्ध गजराजु।।39।।

Shri Ram, the jewel of the Raghu dynasty, went in and saw the king in an utterly wretched, disordered state. The king had collapsed in fear at the sight of Kaikeyi, like an old lord of elephants terrified on seeing a lioness.

सूखहिं अधर जरइ सबु अंगू। मनहुँ दीन मनिहीन भुअंगू।। सरुष समीप दीखि कैकेई। मानहुँ मीचु घरी गनि लेई।। करुनामय मृदु राम सुभाऊ। प्रथम दीख दुखु सुना न काऊ।। तदपि धीर धरि समउ बिचारी। पूँछी मधुर बचन महतारी।। मोहि कहु मातु तात दुख कारन। करिअ जतन जेहिं होइ निवारन।। सुनहु राम सबु कारन एहू। राजहि तुम पर बहुत सनेहू।। देन कहेन्हि मोहि दुइ बरदाना। मागेउँ जो कछु मोहि सोहाना। सो सुनि भयउ भूप उर सोचू। छाड़ि न सकहिं तुम्हार सँकोचू।।

The king's lips were dry and his whole body burned, like a wretched snake that had lost its gem; seeing the angry Kaikeyi close by, he felt as if Death were counting out the hours of his life. Ram, whose nature is compassionate and tender, was seeing such sorrow for the first time and had never even heard of it; yet, keeping patience and judging the occasion, he asked his mother in sweet words to tell him the cause of father's grief so that an effort could be made to remove it. Kaikeyi replied, 'Listen, Ram: the whole cause is this. The king loves you dearly. He had promised me two boons, and I asked for whatever pleased me. Hearing my demand, the king's heart is filled with worry, for he cannot set aside his regard for you.'

सुत सनेह इत बचनु उत संकट परेउ नरेसु। सकहु न आयसु धरहु सिर मेटहु कठिन कलेसु।।40।।

On one side is love for his son, on the other his given word, and so the king is caught in a dilemma. (Kaikeyi says:) If you can, place his command upon your head and obey it, and thus wipe away this cruel distress.

निधरक बैठि कहइ कटु बानी। सुनत कठिनता अति अकुलानी।। जीभ कमान बचन सर नाना। मनहुँ महिप मृदु लच्छ समाना।। जनु कठोरपनु धरें सरीरू। सिखइ धनुषबिद्या बर बीरू।। सब प्रसंगु रघुपतिहि सुनाई। बैठि मनहुँ तनु धरि निठुराई।। मन मुसकाइ भानुकुल भानु। रामु सहज आनंद निधानू।। बोले बचन बिगत सब दूषन। मृदु मंजुल जनु बाग बिभूषन।। सुनु जननी सोइ सुतु बड़भागी। जो पितु मातु बचन अनुरागी।। तनय मातु पितु तोषनिहारा। दुर्लभ जननि सकल संसारा।।

Sitting shamelessly, Kaikeyi speaks bitter words, at which Harshness itself grew distressed. Her tongue is a bow and her words are many arrows, as if the gentle king were the target, and as if Cruelty had taken bodily form and, a mighty warrior, were practising the science of archery. She told Ram the whole matter, sitting as though Heartlessness itself had assumed a body. But Ram, the sun of the solar race and the natural abode of bliss, smiled inwardly and spoke words free of every fault, gentle and lovely as ornaments of speech: 'Listen, mother: that son is truly blessed who is devoted to the words of his father and mother. A son who satisfies his parents is rare in all the world, mother.'

मुनिगन मिलनु बिसेषि बन सबहि भाँति हित मोर। तेहि महँ पितु आयसु बहुरि संमत जननी तोर।।41।।

Meeting the company of sages, especially, in the forest is beneficial to me in every way; and along with that comes father's command, and moreover, mother, your consent.

भरत प्रानप्रिय पावहिं राजू। बिधि सब बिधि मोहि सनमुख आजु। जों न जाउँ बन ऐसेहु काजा। प्रथम गनिअ मोहि मूढ़ समाजा।। सेवहिं अरँडु कलपतरु त्यागी। परिहरि अमृत लेहिं बिषु मागी।। तेउ न पाइ अस समउ चुकाहीं। देखु बिचारि मातु मन माहीं।। अंब एक दुखु मोहि बिसेषी। निपट बिकल नरनायकु देखी।। थोरिहिं बात पितहि दुख भारी। होति प्रतीति न मोहि महतारी।। राउ धीर गुन उदधि अगाधू। भा मोहि ते कछु बड़ अपराधू।। जातें मोहि न कहत कछु राऊ। मोरि सपथ तोहि कहु सतिभाऊ।।

Bharat, who is dear to me as my life, will get the kingdom, so Providence is favourable to me today in every way. If I did not go to the forest even for such a purpose, I should be reckoned foremost in the assembly of fools, who serve the castor plant abandoning the wish-fulfilling tree, and, forsaking nectar, beg for poison. Even such fools would not let slip an opportunity like this; consider this well in your mind, mother. One thing, mother, grieves me especially: seeing the king utterly distraught. Over so small a matter father feels such heavy sorrow that I can scarcely believe it. The king is patient, a fathomless ocean of virtues; some great offence must have been committed by me, on account of which the king says nothing to me. I put you on my oath: tell me the truth honestly.

सहज सरल रघुबर बचन कुमति कुटिल करि जान। चलइ जोंक जल बक्रगति जद्यपि सलिलु समान।।42।।

Ram's words are naturally simple and straight, but the wicked-minded Kaikeyi takes them as crooked; just as a leech moves in a crooked, winding path through water, even though the water itself is level and even.

रहसी रानि राम रुख पाई। बोली कपट सनेहु जनाई।। सपथ तुम्हार भरत कै आना। हेतु न दूसर मै कछु जाना।। तुम्ह अपराध जोगु नहिं ताता। जननी जनक बंधु सुखदाता।। राम सत्य सबु जो कछु कहहू। तुम्ह पितु मातु बचन रत अहहू।। पितहि बुझाइ कहहु बलि सोई। चौथेंपन जेहिं अजसु न होई।। तुम्ह सम सुअन सुकृत जेहिं दीन्हे। उचित न तासु निरादरु कीन्हे।। लागहिं कुमुख बचन सुभ कैसे। मगहँ गयादिक तीरथ जैसे।। रामहि मातु बचन सब भाए। जिमि सुरसरि गत सलिल सुहाए।।

Delighted at gaining Ram's favourable mood, the queen spoke, feigning affection: 'By your oath and by Bharat's, I know of no other reason than this. You are incapable of any offence, child; you give joy to mother, father, and brothers. All that you say, Ram, is true; you are ever devoted to the words of your parents. So explain to your father and persuade him accordingly, so that no ill-fame comes to him in his old age. He whose merit gave him a son like you ought not to be dishonoured.' Such auspicious words from her wicked mouth were like the holy shrines such as Gaya set in the land of Magadh; yet all the mother's words pleased Ram, just as any water becomes fair once it enters the heavenly Ganga.

गइ मुरुछा रामहि सुमिरि नृप फिरि करवट लीन्ह। सचिव राम आगमन कहि बिनय समय सम कीन्ह।।43।।

The king's swoon passed; remembering Ram, he turned over on his side. The minister (Sumantra) announced Ram's arrival and made a request suited to the moment.

अवनिप अकनि रामु पगु धारे। धरि धीरजु तब नयन उघारे।। सचिवँ सँभारि राउ बैठारे। चरन परत नृप रामु निहारे।। लिए सनेह बिकल उर लाई। गै मनि मनहुँ फनिक फिरि पाई।। रामहि चितइ रहेउ नरनाहू। चला बिलोचन बारि प्रबाहू।। सोक बिबस कछु कहै न पारा। हृदयँ लगावत बारहिं बारा।। बिधिहि मनाव राउ मन माहीं। जेहिं रघुनाथ न कानन जाहीं।। सुमिरि महेसहि कहइ निहोरी। बिनती सुनहु सदासिव मोरी।। आसुतोष तुम्ह अवढर दानी। आरति हरहु दीन जनु जानी।।

Hearing that Ram had come, the king gathered courage and opened his eyes. The minister supported him and seated him, and the king beheld Ram falling at his feet. Overcome with love, he clasped him to his heart, as though a snake had regained its lost gem. The king kept gazing at Ram while a stream of tears flowed from his eyes; overpowered by grief he could say nothing and pressed Ram again and again to his bosom. In his heart the king prayed to Providence that Ram might not go to the forest, and, remembering Lord Shiva, he entreated: 'Hear my prayer, O eternal Shiva. You are easily pleased and a lavish bestower of boons; remove my distress, knowing me your humble servant.'

तुम्ह प्रेरक सब के हृदयँ सो मति रामहि देहु। बचनु मोर तजि रहहि घर परिहरि सीलु सनेहु।।44।।

(The king's prayer continues:) You are the inspirer within all hearts; grant Ram such a mind that, setting aside his own gentleness and love, he abandons my word and stays at home.

अजसु होउ जग सुजसु नसाऊ। नरक परौ बरु सुरपुरु जाऊ।। सब दुख दुसह सहावहु मोही। लोचन ओट रामु जनि होंही।। अस मन गुनइ राउ नहिं बोला। पीपर पात सरिस मनु डोला।। रघुपति पितहि प्रेमबस जानी। पुनि कछु कहिहि मातु अनुमानी।। देस काल अवसर अनुसारी। बोले बचन बिनीत बिचारी।। तात कहउँ कछु करउँ ढिठाई। अनुचितु छमब जानि लरिकाई।। अति लघु बात लागि दुखु पावा। काहुँ न मोहि कहि प्रथम जनावा।। देखि गोसाइँहि पूँछिउँ माता। सुनि प्रसंगु भए सीतल गाता।।

'Let me suffer ill-fame in the world and my good name be destroyed; let me fall into hell rather than go to heaven; make me bear all unbearable sorrows, but let Ram not pass out of my sight.' Thus the king pondered but did not speak, his heart quivering like a peepal leaf. Ram, seeing his father overpowered by love and guessing that Kaikeyi might say something more, spoke, considering place, time and occasion, these humble and thoughtful words: 'Father, I say something, taking a liberty; forgive the impropriety, remembering my childish age. Over a very small matter you have grieved so much, yet no one told me of it first. Only on seeing you, my lord, did I ask mother; and hearing the matter, my body has grown cool with relief.'

मंगल समय सनेह बस सोच परिहरिअ तात। आयसु देइअ हरषि हियँ कहि पुलके प्रभु गात।।45।।

'This is an auspicious time, father; out of affection give up your worry and grant me your command with a joyful heart.' Saying this, the Lord's body thrilled with emotion.

धन्य जनमु जगतीतल तासू। पितहि प्रमोदु चरित सुनि जासू।। चारि पदारथ करतल ताकें। प्रिय पितु मातु प्रान सम जाकें।। आयसु पालि जनम फलु पाई। ऐहउँ बेगिहिं होउ रजाई।। बिदा मातु सन आवउँ मागी। चलिहउँ बनहि बहुरि पग लागी।। अस कहि राम गवनु तब कीन्हा। भूप सोक बसु उतरु न दीन्हा।। नगर ब्यापि गइ बात सुतीछी। छुअत चढ़ी जनु सब तन बीछी।। सुनि भए बिकल सकल नर नारी। बेलि बिटप जिमि देखि दवारी।। जो जहँ सुनइ धुनइ सिरु सोई। बड़ बिषादु नहिं धीरजु होई।।

'Blessed is the birth on earth of one on hearing whose deeds the father rejoices. The four aims of life lie in his very palm, to whom his father and mother are dear as his own life. Obeying your command and gaining the fruit of my birth, I shall return quickly, so give me the order. I will take leave of my mother and come back, and after touching your feet again I shall set out for the forest.' Saying this Ram departed, and the king, overcome by grief, gave no reply. The sharp news spread through the city, and the moment it touched people it rose through their whole bodies like a scorpion's sting. Hearing it, all the men and women became distraught, like creepers and trees at the sight of a forest fire; wherever anyone heard it, he beat his head, for the grief was great and no patience remained.

मुख सुखाहिं लोचन स्त्रवहि सोकु न हृदयँ समाइ। मनहुँ करुन रस कटकई उतरी अवध बजाइ।।46।।

Their mouths dried up, their eyes streamed, and grief could not be contained in their hearts; it was as if the whole army of the sentiment of Pathos had descended upon Ayodhya with beating drums.

मिलेहि माझ बिधि बात बेगारी। जहँ तहँ देहिं कैकेइहि गारी।। एहि पापिनिहि बूझि का परेऊ। छाइ भवन पर पावकु धरेऊ।। निज कर नयन काढ़ि चह दीखा। डारि सुधा बिषु चाहत चीखा।। कुटिल कठोर कुबुद्धि अभागी। भइ रघुबंस बेनु बन आगी।। पालव बैठि पेड़ु एहिं काटा। सुख महुँ सोक ठाटु धरि ठाटा।। सदा रामु एहि प्रान समाना। कारन कवन कुटिलपनु ठाना।। सत्य कहहिं कबि नारि सुभाऊ। सब बिधि अगहु अगाध दुराऊ।। निज प्रतिबिंबु बरुकु गहि जाई। जानि न जाइ नारि गति भाई।।

People said that Providence had spoiled the whole affair right in the midst of joy, and here and there they abused Kaikeyi: 'What did this sinful woman gain by her scheming? She has set her own thatched roof on fire. She wants to see by plucking out her own eyes with her own hands; throwing away nectar, she craves to taste poison. Crooked, hard-hearted, evil-minded and ill-fated, she has become a fire in the bamboo grove of the Raghu dynasty. Sitting on a branch she has cut down the very tree, and in the midst of happiness has set up the whole array of sorrow. Ram was always dear to her as her own life; for what reason has she now taken to such crookedness? Truly the poets say a woman's nature is in every way unfathomable, deep and full of deceit. One may perhaps catch hold of one's own reflection, but a woman's ways cannot be known, brother.'

काह न पावकु जारि सक का न समुद्र समाइ। का न करै अबला प्रबल केहि जग कालु न खाइ।।47।।

What can fire not burn? What can the ocean not contain? What can a woman, though called weak yet mighty, not accomplish? And whom in the world does Death not devour?

का सुनाइ बिधि काह सुनावा। का देखाइ चह काह देखावा।। एक कहहिं भल भूप न कीन्हा। बरु बिचारि नहिं कुमतिहि दीन्हा।। जो हठि भयउ सकल दुख भाजनु। अबला बिबस ग्यानु गुनु गा जनु।। एक धरम परमिति पहिचाने। नृपहि दोसु नहिं देहिं सयाने।। सिबि दधीचि हरिचंद कहानी। एक एक सन कहहिं बखानी।। एक भरत कर संमत कहहीं। एक उदास भायँ सुनि रहहीं।। कान मूदि कर रद गहि जीहा। एक कहहिं यह बात अलीहा।। सुकृत जाहिं अस कहत तुम्हारे। रामु भरत कहुँ प्रानपिआरे।।

The people lamented, 'Having first made us hear one thing, what has Providence now made us hear? Having shown us one sight, what does it now wish to show?' Some said the king did not do well in granting the boon to the wicked woman without proper thought, and that by his obstinacy he had become the vessel of all sorrow, his wisdom and virtue gone, overpowered by a woman. But others, who understood the bounds of dharma, did not blame the king, and recited to one another the stories of Shibi, Dadhichi and Harishchandra. Some said Bharat had consented to this; others just listened with indifference. And some, covering their ears with their hands and biting their tongues, said, 'This is false! Your very merits will be lost by saying so, for Ram is dearer than life to Bharat.'

चंदु चवै बरु अनल कन सुधा होइ बिषतूल। सपनेहुँ कबहुँ न करहिं किछु भरतु राम प्रतिकूल।।48।।

The moon may rain down sparks of fire and poison may turn into nectar, but never, even in a dream, will Bharat do anything against Ram.

एक बिधातहिं दूषनु देंहीं। सुधा देखाइ दीन्ह बिषु जेहीं।। खरभरु नगर सोचु सब काहू। दुसह दाहु उर मिटा उछाहू।। बिप्रबधू कुलमान्य जठेरी। जे प्रिय परम कैकेई केरी।। लगीं देन सिख सीलु सराही। बचन बानसम लागहिं ताही।। भरतु न मोहि प्रिय राम समाना। सदा कहहु यहु सबु जगु जाना।। करहु राम पर सहज सनेहू। केहिं अपराध आजु बनु देहू।। कबहुँ न कियहु सवति आरेसू। प्रीति प्रतीति जान सबु देसू।। कौसल्याँ अब काह बिगारा। तुम्ह जेहि लागि बज्र पुर पारा।।

Some blamed Providence, who had shown nectar and then given poison. There was uproar in the city and everyone was anxious, an unbearable burning in every heart and all joy gone. The Brahmin women, respected elders of the family and dearly loved by Kaikeyi, began to counsel her, praising virtue; but their words struck her like arrows. They said: 'You always used to say Bharat was not as dear to you as Ram; the whole world knows it. You have natural love for Ram, so for what offence are you now sending him to the forest? You never showed a co-wife's jealousy; the whole land knows your love and trust. What harm has Kausalya done you now, for whose sake you have split the city like a thunderbolt?'