{"id":36,"date":"2023-02-22T04:12:05","date_gmt":"2023-02-22T04:12:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/worldmythology\/?post_type=chapter&p=36"},"modified":"2023-05-10T19:41:59","modified_gmt":"2023-05-10T19:41:59","slug":"1-6-kaikeyis-plot","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/pressbooks.ccconline.org\/worldmythology-cccs\/chapter\/1-6-kaikeyis-plot\/","title":{"raw":"1.6 Sample: Kaikeyi's Plot","rendered":"1.6 Sample: Kaikeyi’s Plot"},"content":{"raw":"

Kaikeyi's Plot<\/h1>\r\nIn 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.<\/em>\r\n\r\n[caption id=\"attachment_152\" align=\"aligncenter\" width=\"500\"]\""The \"The Death of King Dasharatha, the Father of Rama\", Folio from a Ramayana, Public Domain via The Metropolitan Museum of Art<\/a>[\/caption]\r\n\r\nAs fury lit Kaikey\u00ed's eyes\r\nShe spoke with long and burning sighs:\r\n\u201cThis day my son enthroned shall see,\r\nAnd Rama to the woods shall flee.\r\nBut tell me, damsel, if you can,\r\nA certain way, a skillful plan\r\nThat Bharata may the empire gain,\r\nAnd Rama's hopes be nursed in vain.\u201d\r\n\r\nThe lady ceased. The wicked maid\r\nThe mandate of her queen obeyed,\r\nAnd darkly plotting Rama's fall\r\nResponded to Kaikey\u00ed's call.\r\n\r\n\u201cI will declare, if you attend,\r\nHow Bharata may his throne ascend.\r\nDo you forget what things befell?\r\nOr do you feign, remembering well?\r\nOr would you hear my tongue repeat\r\nA story for your need so meet?\r\nHappy lady, if your will be so,\r\nNow hear the tale of long ago,\r\nAnd when my tongue has done its part\r\nPonder the story in your heart.\r\n\r\n\u201cWhen gods and demons fought of old,\r\nYour lord, with royal saints enrolled,\r\nWent to the war with you to bring\r\nHis might to aid the Immortals' King.\r\nFar to the southern land he sped\r\nWhere Dandak's mighty wilds are spread,\r\nTo Vaijayanta's city swayed\r\nBy S'ambara, whose flag displayed\r\nThe hugest monster of the sea.\r\nLord of a hundred wiles was be;\r\nWith might which gods could never blame\r\nAgainst the King of Heaven he came.\r\nThen raged the battle wild and dread,\r\nAnd mortal warriors fought and bled;\r\nThe fiends by night with strength renewed\r\nCharged, slew the sleeping multitude.\r\nYour lord, King Dasaratha, long\r\nStood fighting with the demon throng,\r\nBut long of arm, unmatched in strength,\r\nFell wounded by their darts at length.\r\n\r\n\u201cYour husband, senseless, by your aid\r\nWas from the battle field conveyed.\r\nAnd wounded near to death your lord\r\nWas by your care to health restored.\r\nWell pleased the grateful monarch swore\r\nTo grant your first and second prayer.\r\nYou for no favor then would sue,\r\nThe gifts reserved for season due;\r\nAnd he, your high-souled lord, agreed\r\nTo give the boons when you should need.\r\nMyself I knew not what befell,\r\nBut oft the tale have heard you tell,\r\nAnd close to you in friendship knit\r\nDeep in my heart have treasured it.\r\nRemind your husband of his oath,\r\nRecall the boons and claim them both,\r\nThat Bharata on the throne be placed\r\nWith rites of consecration graced,\r\nAnd Rama to the woods be sent\r\nFor fourteen years of banishment.\r\n\r\n\u201cGo, Queen, the grieving chamber seek,\r\nWith angry eye and burning cheek;\r\nAnd with disordered robes and hair\r\nOn the cold earth lie prostrate there.\r\nWhen the king comes you still mournful lie,\r\nSpeak not a word nor meet his eye,\r\nBut let your tears in torrent flow,\r\nAnd lie enamored of your woe.\r\nWell do I know you long have been,\r\nAnd ever are, his darling queen.\r\nFor your dear sake, O well-loved dame,\r\nThe mighty king would brave the flame,\r\nBut never would anger you, or brook\r\nTo meet his favorite's wrathful look.\r\nYour loving lord would even die\r\nYour fancy, Queen, to gratify,\r\nAnd never could he arm his breast\r\nTo answer nay to your request.\r\n\r\n\u201cGems he will offer, pearls and gold:\r\nRefuse his gifts, be stern and cold.\r\nThose offered boons at length recall,\r\nAnd claim them till he grants you all.\r\nAnd O my lady, high in bliss,\r\nWith heedful thought forget not this.\r\nWhen from the ground his queen he lifts\r\nAnd grants again the promised gifts,\r\nBind him with oaths he cannot break\r\nAnd your demands unflinching, make:\r\nThat Rama travel to the wild\r\nFourteen years from home exiled,\r\nAnd Bharata, best of all who reign.\r\nThe empire of the land obtain.\r\nFor when this term of years has fled\r\nOver the banished Rama's head,\r\nYour royal son to vigor grown\r\nAnd rooted firm will stand alone.\r\nThe king, I know, is well inclined,\r\nAnd this the hour to move his mind.\r\nBe bold: the threatened rite prevent,\r\nAnd force the king from his intent.\u201d\r\n\r\nKaikey\u00ed in her joy and pride\r\nTo Manthara again replied:\r\n\u201cYour sense I envy, prudent maid;\r\nWith wisest lore your lady persuade.\r\nNo other maid in all the earth,\r\nFor wise resolve, can match your worth.\r\nYou are alone with constant zeal\r\nDevoted to your lady's appeal.\r\nDear girl, without your faithful aid\r\nI had not marked the plot he laid.\r\n\r\n\u201cA golden chain round your neck I\u2019ll fling\r\nWhen Rama's flight makes Bharata king:\r\nYea, polished links of finest gold,\r\nWhen once the wished-for prize I hold\r\nA golden headband wrought with care,\r\nAnd precious jewels shall you wear:\r\nTwo lovely robes around you fold,\r\nAnd walk a goddess to behold,\r\nBidding the moon himself compare\r\nHis beauty with a face so fair.\u201d\r\n\r\n \r\n\r\nKaikeyi's praise Manthara heard,\r\nAnd thus again her lady stirred,\r\nWho lay upon her beauteous bed\r\nLike fire upon the altar fed:\r\n\u201cDear Queen, they build the bridge in vain\r\nWhen swollen streams are dry again.\r\nArise, your glorious task complete,\r\nAnd draw the king to your retreat.\u201d\r\n\r\n
\r\n\r\nTo cite this reading, use the following format:\r\n\r\nValmiki. Canto IX: The Plot. Ramayana<\/em>. Internet Sacred Text Archive, www.sacred-texts.com\/hin\/rama\/ry087.htm<\/a>.\r\n\r\n ","rendered":"

Kaikeyi’s Plot<\/h1>\n

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.<\/em><\/p>\n

\""The
“The Death of King Dasharatha, the Father of Rama”, Folio from a Ramayana, Public Domain via The Metropolitan Museum of Art<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

As fury lit Kaikey\u00ed’s eyes
\nShe spoke with long and burning sighs:
\n\u201cThis day my son enthroned shall see,
\nAnd Rama to the woods shall flee.
\nBut tell me, damsel, if you can,
\nA certain way, a skillful plan
\nThat Bharata may the empire gain,
\nAnd Rama’s hopes be nursed in vain.\u201d<\/p>\n

The lady ceased. The wicked maid
\nThe mandate of her queen obeyed,
\nAnd darkly plotting Rama’s fall
\nResponded to Kaikey\u00ed’s call.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will declare, if you attend,
\nHow Bharata may his throne ascend.
\nDo you forget what things befell?
\nOr do you feign, remembering well?
\nOr would you hear my tongue repeat
\nA story for your need so meet?
\nHappy lady, if your will be so,
\nNow hear the tale of long ago,
\nAnd when my tongue has done its part
\nPonder the story in your heart.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen gods and demons fought of old,
\nYour lord, with royal saints enrolled,
\nWent to the war with you to bring
\nHis might to aid the Immortals’ King.
\nFar to the southern land he sped
\nWhere Dandak’s mighty wilds are spread,
\nTo Vaijayanta’s city swayed
\nBy S’ambara, whose flag displayed
\nThe hugest monster of the sea.
\nLord of a hundred wiles was be;
\nWith might which gods could never blame
\nAgainst the King of Heaven he came.
\nThen raged the battle wild and dread,
\nAnd mortal warriors fought and bled;
\nThe fiends by night with strength renewed
\nCharged, slew the sleeping multitude.
\nYour lord, King Dasaratha, long
\nStood fighting with the demon throng,
\nBut long of arm, unmatched in strength,
\nFell wounded by their darts at length.<\/p>\n

\u201cYour husband, senseless, by your aid
\nWas from the battle field conveyed.
\nAnd wounded near to death your lord
\nWas by your care to health restored.
\nWell pleased the grateful monarch swore
\nTo grant your first and second prayer.
\nYou for no favor then would sue,
\nThe gifts reserved for season due;
\nAnd he, your high-souled lord, agreed
\nTo give the boons when you should need.
\nMyself I knew not what befell,
\nBut oft the tale have heard you tell,
\nAnd close to you in friendship knit
\nDeep in my heart have treasured it.
\nRemind your husband of his oath,
\nRecall the boons and claim them both,
\nThat Bharata on the throne be placed
\nWith rites of consecration graced,
\nAnd Rama to the woods be sent
\nFor fourteen years of banishment.<\/p>\n

\u201cGo, Queen, the grieving chamber seek,
\nWith angry eye and burning cheek;
\nAnd with disordered robes and hair
\nOn the cold earth lie prostrate there.
\nWhen the king comes you still mournful lie,
\nSpeak not a word nor meet his eye,
\nBut let your tears in torrent flow,
\nAnd lie enamored of your woe.
\nWell do I know you long have been,
\nAnd ever are, his darling queen.
\nFor your dear sake, O well-loved dame,
\nThe mighty king would brave the flame,
\nBut never would anger you, or brook
\nTo meet his favorite’s wrathful look.
\nYour loving lord would even die
\nYour fancy, Queen, to gratify,
\nAnd never could he arm his breast
\nTo answer nay to your request.<\/p>\n

\u201cGems he will offer, pearls and gold:
\nRefuse his gifts, be stern and cold.
\nThose offered boons at length recall,
\nAnd claim them till he grants you all.
\nAnd O my lady, high in bliss,
\nWith heedful thought forget not this.
\nWhen from the ground his queen he lifts
\nAnd grants again the promised gifts,
\nBind him with oaths he cannot break
\nAnd your demands unflinching, make:
\nThat Rama travel to the wild
\nFourteen years from home exiled,
\nAnd Bharata, best of all who reign.
\nThe empire of the land obtain.
\nFor when this term of years has fled
\nOver the banished Rama’s head,
\nYour royal son to vigor grown
\nAnd rooted firm will stand alone.
\nThe king, I know, is well inclined,
\nAnd this the hour to move his mind.
\nBe bold: the threatened rite prevent,
\nAnd force the king from his intent.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kaikey\u00ed in her joy and pride
\nTo Manthara again replied:
\n\u201cYour sense I envy, prudent maid;
\nWith wisest lore your lady persuade.
\nNo other maid in all the earth,
\nFor wise resolve, can match your worth.
\nYou are alone with constant zeal
\nDevoted to your lady’s appeal.
\nDear girl, without your faithful aid
\nI had not marked the plot he laid.<\/p>\n

\u201cA golden chain round your neck I\u2019ll fling
\nWhen Rama’s flight makes Bharata king:
\nYea, polished links of finest gold,
\nWhen once the wished-for prize I hold
\nA golden headband wrought with care,
\nAnd precious jewels shall you wear:
\nTwo lovely robes around you fold,
\nAnd walk a goddess to behold,
\nBidding the moon himself compare
\nHis beauty with a face so fair.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Kaikeyi’s praise Manthara heard,
\nAnd thus again her lady stirred,
\nWho lay upon her beauteous bed
\nLike fire upon the altar fed:
\n\u201cDear Queen, they build the bridge in vain
\nWhen swollen streams are dry again.
\nArise, your glorious task complete,
\nAnd draw the king to your retreat.\u201d<\/p>\n

\n

To cite this reading, use the following format:<\/p>\n

Valmiki. Canto IX: The Plot. Ramayana<\/em>. Internet Sacred Text Archive, www.sacred-texts.com\/hin\/rama\/ry087.htm<\/a>.<\/p>\n

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