Kaikeyi’s Plot

In this section of the Ramayana, Kaikeyi wife of Dasaratha consults with her maid Manthara to plot how to put her son Bharata on the throne instead of her stepson Rama.

As fury lit Kaikeyí’s eyes
She spoke with long and burning sighs:
“This day my son enthroned shall see,
And Rama to the woods shall flee.
But tell me, damsel, if you can,
A certain way, a skillful plan
That Bharata may the empire gain,
And Rama’s hopes be nursed in vain.”

The lady ceased. The wicked maid
The mandate of her queen obeyed,
And darkly plotting Rama’s fall
Responded to Kaikeyí’s call.

“I will declare, if you attend,
How Bharata may his throne ascend.
Do you forget what things befell?
Or do you feign, remembering well?
Or would you hear my tongue repeat
A story for your need so meet?
Happy lady, if your will be so,
Now hear the tale of long ago,
And when my tongue has done its part
Ponder the story in your heart.

“When gods and demons fought of old,
Your lord, with royal saints enrolled,
Went to the war with you to bring
His might to aid the Immortals’ King.
Far to the southern land he sped
Where Dandak’s mighty wilds are spread,
To Vaijayanta’s city swayed
By S’ambara, whose flag displayed
The hugest monster of the sea.
Lord of a hundred wiles was be;
With might which gods could never blame
Against the King of Heaven he came.
Then raged the battle wild and dread,
And mortal warriors fought and bled;
The fiends by night with strength renewed
Charged, slew the sleeping multitude.
Your lord, King Dasaratha, long
Stood fighting with the demon throng,
But long of arm, unmatched in strength,
Fell wounded by their darts at length.

“Your husband, senseless, by your aid
Was from the battle field conveyed.
And wounded near to death your lord
Was by your care to health restored.
Well pleased the grateful monarch swore
To grant your first and second prayer.
You for no favor then would sue,
The gifts reserved for season due;
And he, your high-souled lord, agreed
To give the boons when you should need.
Myself I knew not what befell,
But oft the tale have heard you tell,
And close to you in friendship knit
Deep in my heart have treasured it.
Remind your husband of his oath,
Recall the boons and claim them both,
That Bharata on the throne be placed
With rites of consecration graced,
And Rama to the woods be sent
For fourteen years of banishment.

“Go, Queen, the grieving chamber seek,
With angry eye and burning cheek;
And with disordered robes and hair
On the cold earth lie prostrate there.
When the king comes you still mournful lie,
Speak not a word nor meet his eye,
But let your tears in torrent flow,
And lie enamored of your woe.
Well do I know you long have been,
And ever are, his darling queen.
For your dear sake, O well-loved dame,
The mighty king would brave the flame,
But never would anger you, or brook
To meet his favorite’s wrathful look.
Your loving lord would even die
Your fancy, Queen, to gratify,
And never could he arm his breast
To answer nay to your request.

“Gems he will offer, pearls and gold:
Refuse his gifts, be stern and cold.
Those offered boons at length recall,
And claim them till he grants you all.
And O my lady, high in bliss,
With heedful thought forget not this.
When from the ground his queen he lifts
And grants again the promised gifts,
Bind him with oaths he cannot break
And your demands unflinching, make:
That Rama travel to the wild
Fourteen years from home exiled,
And Bharata, best of all who reign.
The empire of the land obtain.
For when this term of years has fled
Over the banished Rama’s head,
Your royal son to vigor grown
And rooted firm will stand alone.
The king, I know, is well inclined,
And this the hour to move his mind.
Be bold: the threatened rite prevent,
And force the king from his intent.”

Kaikeyí in her joy and pride
To Manthara again replied:
“Your sense I envy, prudent maid;
With wisest lore your lady persuade.
No other maid in all the earth,
For wise resolve, can match your worth.
You are alone with constant zeal
Devoted to your lady’s appeal.
Dear girl, without your faithful aid
I had not marked the plot he laid.

“A golden chain round your neck I’ll fling
When Rama’s flight makes Bharata king:
Yea, polished links of finest gold,
When once the wished-for prize I hold
A golden headband wrought with care,
And precious jewels shall you wear:
Two lovely robes around you fold,
And walk a goddess to behold,
Bidding the moon himself compare
His beauty with a face so fair.”

Kaikeyi’s praise Manthara heard,
And thus again her lady stirred,
Who lay upon her beauteous bed
Like fire upon the altar fed:
“Dear Queen, they build the bridge in vain
When swollen streams are dry again.
Arise, your glorious task complete,
And draw the king to your retreat.”

To cite this reading, use the following format:

Valmiki. Canto IX: The Plot. Ramayana. Internet Sacred Text Archive, www.sacred-texts.com/hin/rama/ry087.htm.