| The Prince's face glowed like a
sacrificial fire bursting into flame as the ghee is poured into it. Kaikeyi felt
glad at her apparent success. She could not look into the future and its sorrow, for what
greater grief can come to a woman than the scorn of her own son? Greed deceived her into
folly. It prevented her from understanding aright the mind of her own son Bharata.
Like a captive elephant hemmed in on all
sides, Dasaratha lay in anguish. With needless harshness, Kaikeyi hurried Raama saying,
"Do not wait for the King to speak and prolong the affair."
At this Raama said: "Mother, you have
not, it seems, known me. I value no pleasure higher than to honour my father's pledge. Let
Bharata carry the burden of kingship, and look after our aged father. It will indeed
give me the greatest joy. "Dasaratha, silent till now though listening
intently, moaned aloud. Raama touched the feet of his father and Kaikeyi and hurried out
of the chamber. Lakshmana had been standing outside. He knew what had happened and
with eyes red with anger he followed Raama. |
