Said the Maharajah: “Speak thy wishes, and they will be granted. May I never achieve bliss if thy desires are not fulfilled.”
Kaikeyi said: “Let royal deeds redeem royal words. The first boon I ask is that my son Bharata be installed as Yuvarajah; the second is that Rama be banished for fourteen years to live in the jungle as a devotee clad in a robe of bark.”
When Dasaratha heard these awful words he swooned and fell prone like to a tempest-smitten tree.... At length he recovered his senses, and opening his eyes, said: “Have I dreamed a fearsome dream? Do demons torture me? Is my mind clouded with madness?...”
Hushed and trembling, he gazed upon Kaikeyi as a startled deer gazes at a tigress.... He was as helpless as a serpent which hath been mantra-charmed, and for a time he sobbed aloud.... At length wrath possessed him, and, red-eyed and loud-voiced, he reproached her, saying: “Traitress, wouldst thou bring ruin to my family?... Rama hath never wronged thee; why dost thou seek to injure him? O Kaikeyi, whom I have loved and taken to my bosom, thou hast crept into my house like a poisonous snake to accomplish my ruin. It is death to me to part with my brave and noble Rama, now that I am old and feeble.... Have pity on me and ask for other boons.”
Said Kaikeyi, coldly and bitterly: “If thou wilt break thy vow now to one who saved thy life, all men will despise thee, and I will drink poison this very night.”
Dasaratha was made silent a time. Then he spoke with tears, and said: “Beautiful art thou, O Kaikeyi. Thou hast taken captive my heart. How can this evil desire dwell in thy bosom and darken it with guile? Thou hast entrapped me with the bait of thy beauty.... Can a father dishonour his well-loved son? Rather would I enter hell than send Rama into exile. How can I look upon his face again? How can I suffer to behold him parting with gentle Sita?... Oh! I have drunk of sweet wine mingled with poison.... Have pity on me, O Kaikeyi! I fall at thy feet.... I would that Yama would snatch me off in this hour.”
Said Kaikeyi: “If thou dost honour truth thou wilt grant the boons I crave, but if thou wouldst rather break thine oath, let me drink poison now.”
Dasaratha cried in his grief: “O shadow-robed Night, decked with stars! arrest the hours that pass by, or else give my heart release. Cover with thy darksome mantle my sorrow and my shame, and hide this deed of crime from the knowledge of mankind. Let me perish ere the dawn; may the sun never rise to shine upon my sin-smeared life.”
So he lamented through the night, and unto Kaikeyi he said: “I grant the boons, but I reject thee for ever and thy son Bharata also.”
Morning dawned.... The city was decorated with streamers and flowers. A golden throne was set up for Rama; the tiger's skin was spread for his feet; the white umbrella waited for him. Elephants and chariot horses were harnessed.... The preparations for the sacrifice were completed.... The crowds began to gather in the streets waiting for the Maharajah and noble Rama, whom all the people loved.