Dasaratha reconciling himself to the situation asked Sumantra to ready the four divisions of the army laden with wealth, to escort Rama. He also wanted chariots and hunters who knew the intricacies of the intractable forest to accompany the prince. "Let all the grain and treasures in my possession be at the disposal of Rama. Come bless him." said Dasaratha. His instructions shook Kaikeyi and her voice trembled, but the arrogance in it still dominated her tone as she thundered, "Bharata will not accept a kingdom denuded of its wealth"!

Her utter disregard for decorum shocked those who heard her. Shamed and disgusted Dasartha said, "By granting you boons have I earned the infamy of exiling Rama and of crowning Bharata. What other evils do you have in store to further your cause?" This enraged Kaikeyi even more, who denouncing the entire Ikshvaku race said, "An ancestor of yours, Sagara, banished his first born son, Asamanjasa. Rama too departs in the same way, history repeats itself, my Lord!"

Dasaratha was aghast and the people were outraged at Kaikeyi's insolence. A minister of the state, Siddhartha, stepped in to clear Kaikeyi's insinuations as he revealed what had perpetuated that exile, "Asamanjasa had amused himself by drowning children as they played on the streets of Ayodhya by mercilessly throwing them into the river Sarayu. When Sagara asked the citizens the cause for their fear they had said, that the deranged mind of Asamanjasa had exulted in the death of their children. That struck terror in them. A just and noble ruler Sagara assured his subjects to rid them of their suffering, by banishing the guilty prince.What wrong has Rama committed, to warrant his banishment? If you know of a vice that vilifies Rama speak now Kaikeyi and he too shall face the same justice. Stop trying to mar his purity, rather seek your own redemption from universal condemnation."

Dasaratha in a voice that sounded dispirited and almost extinguishing said "Bogged down in evil if you yet disregard counsel of my minister you will bring upon you, your own destruction. Your deplorable conduct is divorced from all the righteousness. Rule Ayodhya, as you will, along with Bharata. As for me, abandoning my kingdom, my comforts and my wealth, I shall follow Rama."