Kakayi discerned that the king, seated firmly in his saddle of power, had been swayed by the dazzling spectacle of devotion. The king perceived a subtle shift in her demeanour and realized, with a pang of regret, that he had spoken words unfitting of his royal stature.
“Tell me, O queen, who has stirred your spirit to such ire? By my command, death shall swiftly follow for the offender.”
The queen responded, “No one has insulted or vexed me. Yet, a longing consumes me, and you must fulfill it without a moment’s hesitation. Swear an oath to grant my desire, and I shall reveal my wish.”
Sensing an air of gravity, the king’s expression softened into a smile as he took her hand tenderly. “O proud and radiant one, you know well that among all men on earth, Rama is the closest to my heart. I swear upon my soul, upon Rama—unconquerable and boundless—that I will grant your request. All realms depend upon him in some form or another, and I invoke the sacred witness of the five elements. Reveal to me your desire, for without Rama by my side, I cannot live even a moment. Upon my sacred vow, I assure you, I will fulfill your request. Let all the elements and gods bear witness: the sun, the moon, the sky, the earth, the Gandharvas, Rakshasas, Yakshas, sages, and divine beings.
The truthful, resplendent, and virtuous King Dasaratha, now bound by his word, stood ready to bestow his boon. The gods bore silent witness as Kaikeyi prepared to speak, weaving her words with cunning and grace that outstripped even Mandhara’s malevolent influence. She reminded him of the fateful day she saved his life in the great war of the gods and demons, when she slew the powerful Sambarasura to defend him. Then, he had pledged two boons, which she had hidden away in his mind until this very moment.
“O noble king, I now claim these boons, without exception or delay. You have promised, and by the rule of honour, you must deliver.
“First,” she continued with deliberate precision, “as Rama’s coronation nears, let those very preparations be used to anoint Bharata as the king at the appointed hour. This is my first boon. Second, I demand that Rama be exiled to the Dandakaranaya forest for fourteen years. He must live as an ascetic, clad in linen, sleeping upon deer skin and grass mats, with matted hair.”
With a solemn pause, she said, “This is the great boon I seek, the gift you granted in thought, word, and deed. I must witness Rama’s departure to the forest.”
“O King of Kings, uphold your oath, preserve your honour, and safeguard your legacy. For those who cling to truth shall ascend to heaven, as the scriptures proclaim.” Having spoken her lethal demand, she fell silent, leaving the stunned king to grapple with the weight of her words as an unyielding storm gathered in the halls of destiny.
