BHARATA ARRIVES

Kaikeyi's answer had to be consistent both with truth and her designs. She was pulled in contrary directions by her culture and

her ambition. She found words which conveyed- that the King did not think of Bharata in his last moments. She also wished to prepare him for the rest of the news. She said: "Your father breathed his last crying, 'Ha, Raama, Ha, Lakshmana, Ha, Jaanaki.' These were his last words. He died saying: "It is not given me to live to see Raama, Lakshmana and Seeta return. Happy they who will see their return."

Listening to this, Bharata gathered that Raama and Lakshmana too were absent from the Kings side. His grief increased and he asked Kaikeyi: "Where. Were they? What business took them away from our father's side during his last moments?"

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