The brutality of Kaikeyi's demands stunned Dasaratha. Overcome by grief, unable to bear the onslaught of her merciless tirade, the noble king for a moment lost all consciousness of the world around him.Regaining his senses back slowly and painfully he wondered, "Am I dreaming? Is this a kind of madness of my mind or do memories of my past experiences from another life come to haunt me?" Beholding Kaikeyi, he was petrified like a deer rendered helpless at the sight of a tiger. His burning eyes spitting fire bore into her very soul as he cried out in great anguish, "Unaware of your nature and to my peril did I bring you into this palace. I believed you to be a princess, full of grace and nobility but you have shown yourself as a snake, sharp fanged and venomous. What harm has Rama caused you that you wish to punish him so?"

I can give up Kausalya, Sumitra, my kingdom and even my life.But I can never give up my Rama, my god- like son, so dear and so full of love and reverence towards me.Rid yourself of your wicked thoughts Kaikeyi.None will offer you more respect and honor than Rama, who is the very personification of the noblest of qualities. I beseech you to let Rama the most virtuous among men, loved by the world, be installed king.I prostrate to you in obeisance Kaikeyi!Have pity on me. Do not send me to my death!"Kaikeyi did not relent, nor did Dasaratha's impassioned pleas full of anguish touch her. They made not the minutest dent in her armor of stubborn resolve. Scornfully brushing aside the king's words as the inane babble of the insane, she lashed out at Dasaratha. She contended that by going back on his promise he was bringing disgrace to the great dynasty of the Ikshvakus. She cited examples of the many ancestors of that illustrious race, who had sacrificed much to redeem their given word. "Just or unjust, good or evil, you cannot commit a breach of promise.Nothing but the banishment of Rama and the coronation of Bharata will pacify me.If these do not come to pass, I will end my life in your very presence", threatened Kaikeyi. Dasaratha was drained of all happiness and felt paralyzed at her menacing vow.Looking disbelievingly at her who was so precious to him only moments ago, perceiving her utter disdain for him, the hapless king, pathetically tried to reason with his queen once again. "Rama loved by all and pure of mind is devoid of all evil.He wins the hearts of the most humble and the deprived with charity. With service does he win over the hearts of his gurus and his enemies flee at the very sight of his bow.Rama has never uttered anything but the sweetest and most loving of words. How can I subject him to hardship at a time when he is to be installed as the adored lord of the world, who should be living in the palace? How can he survive on the bitter and acrid foods of the forest?"

Dasaratha said that he would be condemned for depriving Rama of his heritage and ridiculed as one who had committed a folly to satisfy the whims of a capricious woman. He said, "I will be cursed for the unpardonable act and will be taken to the land of the dead. The renowned Ikshvaku dynasty will be brought to ruin to disintegrate in disgrace under your rule.I can never honor your malicious desires that spurn relationship. Do you seek its destruction?The world may go on without the Sun, the crops without rain, but I cannot endure life without Rama. Can I bear the looks of Sumitra's silent askance of Lakshmana's fate, if Rama himself can be betrayed thus? How can I face Kausalya? How can I tell her that divine Rama's coronation will not take place, but his exile will? When that comes to pass, my body will be rendered lifeless.Sita coming to know of it may also perish, deprived of her consort.

Dasaratha's pleas fell on deaf ears. The queen who until now, was his joy, his love and his world, in whose presence all else had paled into insignificance, was now inflicting so much pain on him. Lingering memories of his obsession for her haunted him, who was still a captive of her wily charms. His eyes refused to believe the contempt in her eyes. His ears refused to hear her vicious dialouge. His senses refused to accept the choking emotions of his mind. His body with no faculty present to govern it fell to the ground in a heap like an uprooted tree, succumbing to the fury of the storm. Moaning piteously Dasaratha made one last attempt at trying to persuade Kaikeyi to change her mind. "Cause me no more sorrow Kaikeyi. I am ready to touch your feet, have mercy on me", with that Dasaratha's swaying body fell before the queen, who showed her ultimate disdain for that great emperor by moving away beyond reach lest he touch her.