Unto that ruler of the earth extremely under the influence of passion,
Kaikeyi spoke cruelly, saying,-- "O worshipful one, none has wronged or
reprimanded me. I have a certain intention, which I wish that you will,
carry out. If thou wilt execute that, do thou then promise to that
effect, Then only will I express my desire." Thereupon, by his hands
placing Kaikeyi's head upon his lap, the mighty monarch, under the
influence of passion, smiling fairly, addressed her lying on the ground,
"O thou that art swollen with the pride of good fortune, thou knowest
that foremost of men, Rama excepted, there liveth not any that is dearer
to me than thyself. I swear by that invincible prime of men even the
high-souled Raghava-- who is the stay of my existence. Do thou tell me
thy heart's desire. By that Rama, Kaikeyi, whom if I do not see for a
moment, I die for certain, do I swear that whatever thou wilt say I will
accomplish. By that Rama, O Kaikeyi, foremost of men--whom I hold dearer
than my other sons, do I swear that, I will accomplish whatever thou
wilt say. O gentle one, my heart is in what I say. Do thou, considering
this, deliver me from this distress. Taking all this into consideration,
do thou, O Kaikeyi, speak out what is in thy mind. Thou seest the power
thou wieldest in me, therefore it behoveth thee not to fear. I will do
thy pleasure by my good deeds do I swear this."
Thereat intent upon her own interests, that exalted dame seeing her own
wish (almost) attained, assuming an attitude of intercession, being
rejoiced, spoke harsh words (unto the monarch). And delighted at the
king's speech, she unfolded that dreadful intention of hers like unto
the approaching death.-- "Thou swearest repeatedly, and conferrest on me
a boon. Let the three and thirty deities headed by Indra, hear this. Let
the Sun, and the Moon, and the Sky, and the Planets, and Night, and Day,
and the Cardinal points, and the Universe, and the Earth, with the
Gandharvas and Rakshasas, and the Rangers of the night, and all Beings,
and the house-hold gods residing in dwellings,--together with all other
creatures,--know thy utterances. Let all the deities hear that a highly
energetic one speaking the truth, and pure, and cognizant of morality,
and abiding by his promise, has conferred on me a boon". Having
entreated the monarch thus with a view to prevent him from swerving, and
keeping him firm in his promise, she again addressed that mighty bowman,
overcome by desire, who was ready to confer on her a boon, "Remember, O
king, the incidents that took place formerly in the war between gods and
Asuras. Incapable of taking thy life, thy enemy had rendered thee
exceedingly feeble. Because, O respected Sir, I tending thee
sleeplessly, preserved thee, thou didst grant me two boons. Entrusting
the boons then with thee, do I now, O descendant of the Raghus, ask for
them (at thy hands), O lord of the earth. If having religiously promised
to that effect, thou dost not confer the boon, this very day, will I,
coming by this disgrace from thee, renounce my life."
When the king was completely brought under the influence of Kaikeyi, he
was ensnared by her speech for his destruction, like a deer entering
into the noose. Thereafter she thus spoke unto the king about to confer
a boon, who was under the influence of passion, saying,--"Of the boons
that thou hadst then promised me, I shall speak to-day: do thou listen
to my words. Preparations are being made for installing Raghava. Do thou
with the provisions made ready install Bharata in the kingdom. O exalted
one, the time has also come for thee to confer on me the second boon
which thou being pleased had promised in the war of the gods and Asuras.
Let the gentle Rama, clad in deer-skin, lead the life of a mendicant in
the Dandaka forest for the space of nine and five years. And let Bharata
gain the heir-apparentship rid of thorns, Even this is my prime wish;
and I beseech thee but to grant the boon thou hast already promised.
Even this very day will I see Rama despatched to the woods. Do thou by
proving true unto thy word, become the king of kings; and preserve thy
race, character, and birth. Truthful speech, say the ascetics, is of
supreme welfare unto men in the next world."