Content

[Kaikeyi insists on the boons -- Ayodhya is decorated all over--People wait eagerly for the event -- Vasistha arrives at the inner apartment of the king-- Dasaratha sends Sumantra to fetch Rama.]

putraśōkārditaṅ pāpā visaṅjñaṅ patitaṅ bhuvi.

vivēṣṭamānamudvīkṣya saikṣvākamidamabravīt৷৷2.14.1৷৷

Translation

sā pāpā that evil woman, putraśōkārditam tortured with grief on account of his son, visaṅjñam having lost senses, bhuvi on the floor, patitam had fallen, vivēṣṭamānam writhing, aikṣvākam (Dasaratha) born in the Ikshvaku race, idam this word, abravīt said.

The evil woman (Kaikeyi) said to the king of the Ikshvaku race who lay unconscious on the floor writhing and tormented with grief on account of his son.
English Translation of Amruta Kataka


Kaikeyi taunts the king 2.14.1-10

“Having promised to give me boons and having agreed also to grant them, and instead of translating that promise into action, why do you toss on the floor, here? By keeping your promise alone you will be within the bounds of morality practised by your forefathers.
“Giving up one’s life is preferable to giving up one’s promise. It is truth that deserves to be saved more than one’s life.
“Truth is the supreme Brahman. By practising truth only, one attains the Brahman. Hence, follow truth. Truth is dharma, the law of righteousness. Preserve it by sending Rama into the forest. O noble king, if you reject my demand and forget your promise you will be the cause of the death of a woman. That sin also lies on your head! For, in your very presence, I am giving up my life.”


Dasaratha gets disturbed 2.14.11-18

Thus prompted by Kaikeyi, who had lost all scruples, the king could not throw away the fetters of truth, just as Bali could not throw away the noose of promise to give three feet of space to Vamana. Caught, as it were, between the two wheels of a cart, he got disturbed and felt disquiet, thinking that he was getting unrighteous. His eyes were veiled. His sight dimmed. Yet controlling himself somehow, he spoke to Kaikeyi: “I find it proper, just and righteous also to disown you whose hand I held in the presence of the sacred fire, consecrated with the holy marriage mantras. I also like to disown Bharata, the son to whom you have given birth”.


Sumantra awakens Dasaratha 2.14.43-54

Sumantra went to meet the king at his palace. It was his privilege to enter the palace without any permission as he was old in age, ripe in counselling and keen in promoting the interests of the Ikshvaku family. He roused the monarch with eulogy like the Moon awakening the earth or the Vedas, the self-born Brahma.