The sinful whispers of Mandhara seeped into every fibre of Queen Kaikeyi, their venom coursing through her being until she collapsed to the ground, as though struck by an arrow steeped in poison. Yet, amidst this calculated display of grief, her natural radiance flickered on, a stubborn glow that refused to die. With cunning resolve, Kaikeyi steeled herself, positioning Mandhara as her emissary to cast doubt upon the king and shake his certainty regarding Rama’s coronation. Unbeknownst to Kaikeyi, Mandhara’s schemes guided her towards her own downfall. Seeking a fleeting comfort in her turmoil, she resigned herself momentarily to this sinister plot. Mandhara, confident in her manoeuvring, believed her goal was nearly accomplished with Kaikeyi’s steadfast resolve.
Feigning both rage and sorrow, Kaikeyi cast aside garlands, tore flowers asunder, and disarrayed her chamber to create an unsettling scene of despair. She disheveled her hair into an unsightly display, appearing as a fallen celestial being, whose brilliance, though dulled, could not be entirely extinguished.
Meanwhile, the king, having meticulously overseen every aspect of the impending coronation—appointing priests at sacred sites and issuing vigilant instructions—sought leave from the wise Vasishtha before making his way to Kaikeyi’s chambers. A deep sense of authority filled his heart, confident that the realm now buzzed with anticipation of Rama’s rise, an event sanctioned solely by his command. “It is only right,” he thought, “to share this monumental news with Queen Kaikeyi, who would surely welcome it with joy, her affection for me deepened by my trust and openness.”
Buoyed by this thought, the king moved with the majestic gait of an elephant, adorned in white silks and gold ornaments encrusted with flawless diamonds, whose lustre outshone the serene light of the full moon piercing through a blanket of dark clouds. Yet, as he stepped into Kaikeyi’s quarters, his eyes met an unsettling sight: the grand and finely adorned cot stood vacant, bereft of its usual warmth. The hum of peacocks, parrots, and other birds echoed through the air, punctuated by the hurried movements of the household staff, unaware of Kaikeyi’s secretive and insidious intent under Mandhara’s influence.
Unseen and unknown by any save Kaikeyi and her accomplice, the conspiratorial plan remained hidden from the servants. The garden’s fragrant blooms, their scent borne on a cool breeze, soothed the weary king, while the lush foliage, heavy with ripened fruits, exhaled a gentle, sweet perfume. Yet, his heart remained vigilant as the coronation drew near. The opulent artistry around him—ivory and gold inlay, rare wood carvings, and emerald-studded sculptures—caught his eye for the first time, a testament to Kaikeyi’s refined taste. The enticing aromas from the kitchens stirred memories of the distant Kekaya Kingdom, where exotic dishes had delighted his senses.
Despite the splendour, the king’s focus sharpened as he inquired about Kaikeyi’s whereabouts. No clear answer came, leaving him bewildered; Kaikeyi, who always awaited his presence, was conspicuously absent. The guard, bowing respectfully, reported seeing her retreat to the chamber of anger, with Mandhara at her side. The king’s heart sank, his confidence wavering as dread gripped him. Entering the chamber with a weighted step, he was struck silent by the sight of Kaikeyi sprawled on the floor, amidst an aura thick with unease.
The king’s mind, pure and full of untainted concern, was roused to assuage her visible distress. He knelt and placed a tender hand on her brow, though an unknown fear coiled within him. “Beloved, I know not the cause of your sorrow. Speak to me—who has wronged you to bring about this state? I cannot bear to see you thus. When a mighty king and devoted husband stands ready to grant your every desire, why choose such a wretched display? If illness afflicts you, say but the word, and our kingdom’s finest healers will attend to you. If it is a boon, you seek or an injustice that needs righting, command it, and it shall be done without delay. For you, I would exceed any limit—name the offender to be vanquished, the impoverished to be enriched, or the powerful to be brought low. You, my queen, deserve no less than peace and joy.”
Kaikeyi, calculating and silent, absorbed his words, gauging the depth of his emotion. Her decision held firm: to prolong his disquiet a while longer, until the perfect moment ripened for her demand. The king, unaware of the fateful revelation poised to upend the realm and alter the destiny of the universe, awaited with earnest anticipation, a pawn in a plan as ancient and precise as time itself.
