Kaikeyi’s Boons Sought
Kaikeyi remembered the words of Manthara “Coerce King Dasratha to make an irreversible Solemn Pledge and Vow and then only you ask these 2 Boons”. She saw Dasratha having been wounded by the arrows of Goddess Venus,enticed by the lustful feelings, verifying whether he is in a state of mind to grant the Boons and assessing whether it will go in vain Kaikeyi spoke for the 1st time to King Dasratha “ My body has no problems. I do not want any of those materials you wanted to give me. I have a job to be accomplished by you. You have enormous Power to give and Destroy as well. You can accomplish my task. If you have the inclination then do the Pledge the way I am asking you to do . Then I will express my inner intent.” Thus Kaykeyi spewed these harsh words.
After hearing these Dasratha thought “ While I am ready to act as per her wishes, she does not have faith in me and asking me to take a Pledge. Is it a matter to fulfill her wish? It Is my good fortune that she does not have any bodily ailments. with a smile he wanted to see her face to his heart’s content, he took her head and kept on his Lap and because of his extreme affection he spoke not thinking what he is committing “ You pride yourself as the most beautiful woman , is there any other Lady who is more dearer to me than yourself. Is there any one more dearer to me than Rama amongst the men? The Person who cannot be won by Enemies,he who is my Life Force,I am vowing on the name of Sri Rama who is a great Noble person, greatest among men ; what do you want ? if I do not see him even for 2 ½ hours I will not be alive, I am promising that on Rama’s name.and will fulfill your Wishes.
I am willing to loose my self, my Son Bharatha, other sons and other dear relations,animals and forgo them. I will not agree for being separated from Rama. I will fulfill your heart’s wishes and I Vow on Rama’s name. Will I be alive if I do not go as per your aspirations? My words and my thoughts are one and the same, this you must know. Please save me by asking the wish you want. Beyond this what you feel is good for you , you may say so accordingly. Having been fully aware of your beauty and and my strength, your doubting me like this is it justified? What ever you desire I shall fulfill same; this I pledge on all the Good deeds(Punya) I have done so far.
Kaikeyie is hell bent on sending Rama to forest and Crowning Bharatha as per Manthara’s advise. She thought to herself “ Dasratha has promised as I wanted it to be. He is now bound by me and I have enticed him. Whatever be my thought there is no doubt that Dasaratha will fulfill the same. She was ecstatic heart of heart due to the Limitless love she had for Bharatha. Since Dasratah said “ I shall fufill your wish on the oath taken on Rama” now Kaykeyi’s doubts were cleared. She started telling those catastrophic words which should not be told to Dasaratha or for that matter even to any enemy and which will usurp Dasratha’s Life. Though she started but she hesitated a bit. “ though he has promised , the wish I am going to ask is very bizzare and if suppose after hearing them if he says “ I did not expect these This is not possible by me” In that case my planning and request will go waste. So I have to reinforce/consolidate his pledge further. So the Deavas(Celestials ) who are witness to Human’s thoughts, words and actions be also called and spoke “ King, You have taken Vow on Rama and the Punya(Good deeds) done so far and grant me the boons. If that be the truth then Agni(Fire), 33 Crore ie 330 Million Celestials(Devas),Moon and Sun, The Sky, Earth, the 9 Planets, Night and Day, 8 Directions(Diks), Heaven, Gandahravas (People who live beneath Earth and Musiscians), Rakshasaas(Demons), Nocturnal animals(Night Living animals), the Celestials /Angels who live in heaven, and other Animals may hear your promise. Hey the Celestials (Devathas!) the Great King whose Radiance shines and one who knows the secrets of Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation) This Dasaratha has promised/Vowed to grant the Boons I have sought. You are all Witness to this Pledge he has made. (in other words , if he falters you should punish him in all respects) thus Kaykeyi roared aloud. She enticed the Great PARAKRAM (Achievement, Might , Puissance ,Exploits ,Valor ,Heroism ,Gallantry ,Prowess ,Ability ,Valour) King Dasaratha was enticed totally. She bound him by the Dharma so that he cannot but fulfill the promise he has made. He who was lured by Lust to her , she was sure he will grant whatever she asks decided and said “ It had happened Long back , I will narrate once again please Listen. You went to war with a King called Sambhara. In the battle that took place in the night he with his missiles and Arrows wounded you and made you lose consciousness. At that time I was awake and carefully drove the chariot and took you away, treated you with different medicines. I saved your Life. Do you rememeber that? You were Happy and grated me 2 boons . I did not accept them then and kept it with you and told you I will ask for it when time comes. Hey Emperor of the Earth! , One who never falters on Truth! I am asking you those 2 Boons now. You have already promised to give me the Boons. If you refuse after I ask you the boon which as per Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation) I would have been ashamed by you. I will not live alive thereafter. I will die now forcibly.
King Dasratah was bound by the wrods of Kaiykeyi just like the Deer is lured by the music of the Hunter and falls into the net trap laid out by him and gets entangled in the Net and loses it’s Life thus Dasaratha said “ Whatever be your requests I will fulfill same I have granted the 2 Boons. You can ask for them”said Dasaratha to Queen Kayikeyi.
Poor Chap did not know that Extreeme distress is going to befall him and Catastrophe is comig on it’s way ;this King Dasartha did not realise. Thus King Dasrath who was madly in Love with Kaikeyi and had in that emotion had agreed and was ready to grant the 2 Boons spoke “ Hey Husband! I am asking for the 2 boons you had granted me earlier. Please Listen carefully to what I am saying. “With the Materials which have been assembled to Coronate Sri Rama, You should perform the Coronation of My Son Bharatha. Hey Emperor this is the right time for me to ask for the Boons you gave me during Deva Asura (Celestials- Demons).Rama should leave the Kingdom , should wear Deer Skin, Maravuri(Dresses made of wooden Barks/Leaves) and Live like an Aesthetic Saint in the Forest for 14 years In Danda Kaaranya Forest. You should not delay this. My son Bharatha should become the Crown Prince of his Earth immediately without any hitch and should Enjoy. My requests are these only. You have vowed to fulfill these. Please Remember. I am only asking for the Boons you have given me and no new Boon is being asked. I am not compelling you. Because you have promised I am asking you this.
Like the Loan giver asks the person who has taken Loan that person will be unhappy. Is it a sin. I would like to see Rama going to Forest today itself. Hey Great Emperor ! Please fulfill the Vow you have taken without fail. By doing this you will keep up the treditions of your forefathers who will keep up their words at any cost, also that has been the hall mark of your Ikshwaku Dyanasty of which you are the current King,and you will uphold the Kshatriya(Warrior) Dharma (Righteous conduct, Duty, Pious, humble,Charity ,being Noble, all this done beyond expectation and without anticipation). Great Sages have said that the Humans should uphold Truth and that is the main way by which they can attain the Greatest Position in this Universe. (Sokas 29)
****************