A Father's Anguish: Dasharath's Plea and Kaikeyi's Resolve

Dasharath kept trying to persuade Kaikeyi. "Is Ram not similar to Indra himself?" he begged her. "Everyone praises his truthfulness, friendship, knowledge, intelligence, bravery, and politeness. To this day, no one has heard a harsh word from his mouth. How can I send him to the jungle, where many violent and scary animals reside? Have mercy on this old and sick person! Kaikeyi, ask me for anything on Earth, and I will happily give it to you but don't snatch my Ram away. I pray to you, don't push me to my death by sending Ram to the forest." The Emperor was drowning in grief, but selfishness and greed had made Kaikeyi cruel. His words did not affect her. 

"If you don't fulfill my demands, I will consume poison and end my life this night," Kaikeyi said sternly and without hesitation. Kaikeyi was not silent even after saying all this. She wanted Dasharath to command Ram to go to the forest without delay. 

Emperor Dasharath found himself helpless. He felt that death was hovering over his head. "Okay, before I die, let me see Ram's face once. Death is before me; let Ram come to me," he said after summoning up some courage. 

In this way, morning arrived; the coronation was approaching. Guru Vashishth and his students came to the palace with a golden urn filled with water from holy rivers. The guru sent Prime Minister Sumantra to wake the Emperor from his sleep. Kaikeyi commanded Sumantra to call Ram immediately because the Emperor wanted to speak to him.

Ram was unaware of what had transpired between Dasharath and Kaikeyi as he prepared for his coronation. At that moment, Sumantra arrived at Ram's mansion to summon him, conveying the Emperor and Queen Kaikeyi's desire to meet him. After hearing Sumantra's message, Ram went to the sulking chamber. When he reached the chamber's door, he was shocked to see his father in such a state. He had never seen Dasharath in such grief and anger before. Ram was distraught to see his father so sad. 

"Mother, why is Father in this state? What grief is he drowning in?" Ram asked Kaikeyi. 

"Your father, the Emperor, had granted me two boons long ago. Last night, I called in those favors: I asked that my son, Bharat, be crowned king and that you must go to the forest for fourteen years," Kaikeyi replied.