WIFE OR DEMON?

No matter how humbly he begged, Kaikeyi was obstinate and said firmly: "You have yourself boasted that you are a truth speaker. But now having sworn before the gods that you have granted a boon, you attempt to retract your promise. If you break

Your word', I shall surely kill myself and that, will not add greatly to the glory of your dynasty, of which you are so proud!"

"Very well, then," said Dasaratha. "Let Raama go to the forest and let me die. Having destroyed me and my race, a jubilant widow, you will gain your wish and seek joy in your life!"

Again, after a while, the old King cried: "What good you will gain by sending Raama to the forest, I fail to see. 'The only result will be that the whole world will despise you. After many years of prayer and penance, I had Raama by the grace of Goa. And him I now banish into the forest, I, most wretched of men!"

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