Then as the mighty king was lying down in this unbeseeming and improper
guise, like Yayati dropped from the celestial regions when his religious
merit had been exhausted, that lady, personating the ruin of the race,
not fearing public odium, who had discerned danger from Rama unto
Bharata, not having attained her wish, again addressed the monarch,
concerning the boon he had promised unto her,--Thou describest thyself,
O mighty monarch, as speaking the truth and firm in vow. Why then dost
thou hesitate to confer this boon on me?" Thus addressed by Kaikeyi king
Dacaratha, remaining stupified for a while thus answered her in
wrath,--"O ignoble one! O enemy of mine! On my being dead, and that
chief of men, Rama, reparing to the woods, do thou, thine wish attained,
become happy. When in heaven, questioning me as to Rama's welfare, the
celestials, learning of his banishment to the woods, will tax me on this
score, how shall I also bear that reproach of theirs? If I shall
truthfully say I have sent Rama to the woods for compassing Kaikeyi's
pleasure, that will count for a falsehood. Sonless first, I have
obtained the exceedingly energetic and mighty Rama by great pain,--how
can I then renounce him? How shall I banish Rama having eyes resembling
lotus' petals, who is heroic, and accomplished and of subdued anger, and
forgiving. How shall I dismiss unto Dandaka the charming Rama of dark
blue hue like that of a blue lotus, possessed of mighty arms, and having
great strength? How shall I behold the intelligent Rama in evil plight,
who has never known suffering, and has always enjoyed felicity? If
without inflicting injury upon Rama, I meet with death, I shall then
attain happiness. O cruel Kaikeyi, O thou of evil purpose, why dost thou
do this wrong unto my beloved Rama having truth for prowess? If I banish
Rama, an unparalleled obloquy will surely darken (my fair fame).
As king Dacaratha was bewailing thus with a heart wrought up with grief,
the sun set and night came on. But although crested with the lunar disc,
the night failed to bring comfort unto the king, distressed, and
indulging in grief. Then the old king Dacaratha, with his eyes fixed at
the sky, sighing hot, lamented in this strain--"O night studded with
stars, I beseech thee, let not the morning appear. Do thou, O gentle
one, do me this kindness. I do thus clasp my hands (by way of
supplication). Or do thou speedily repair for I do not wish to see the
hated and relentless Kaikeyi, who has brought this calamity upon me".
Having spoken thus, the king conversant with the duties of Sovereigns
again endeavoured to propitiate Kaikeyi, saying,--"O noble dame, do thou
show favour unto me, who am of honest ways, who am distressed, who have
made myself thine, who have finished his life, and who, in especial, am
thy king. That I have spoken to thee thus was because, O thou of shapely
hips, I had been deprived of my senses (through grief). O girl, do thou
show thy favour unto me,--be thou generous,--be thou propitious. Let my
Rama obtain the kingdom in fact conferred by thee. Thereupon, O thou
having the outer corner of thy eyes of dark blue hue, thou wilt attain
high fame (among men). O thou of well-developed hips, do thou do this
act of benefit unto me and Rama and the people and the superiors, and
Bharata".
Having heard the exceedingly piteous words of her husband, the king of
pure sentiment, who was distressed, with his eye rendered coppery and
flowing with tears, that wicked minded and merciless woman spoke not.
Thereat seeing that his favourite dissatisfied wife persisted in urging
the banishment of his son, the king struck with grief, again fell down
to the earth, senseless. As the wise king afflicted with sorrow was
sighing hot and hard, the night passed away. Then as the eulogists
attempted to sing his praises for awakening him, he prohibited them to
do so.