Sita donned her bark robes like a woebegone waif, though consort to the mighty Ikshvaku. "Blamed be Dasaratha" condemned the people of Ayodhya as they wept at the injustice. Hearing the heart-rending sounds of grief, Dasaratha no longer cared for his honor, his fame or his life. Sighing deeply he said, "How can a dainty princess inhabit the jungles? What harm has this virtuous daughter of a virtuous king done to warrant her banishment? Though wrested out of me against my will, the barbarous command I have issued makes me unfit to live. Kaikeyi! Blind to your devious designs I granted you the boons. Now by unscrupulously exiling Rama you commit an act that will destroy you, as a bamboo bloom destroys the very bamboo out of which it was born. Your desire to see Sita clothed in bark robes will cast you in hell. Sinful woman! For what fault of hers do you punish her so and what harm has Rama done?" To Dasaratha who could not control his grief Rama said, "Father, Kausalya that virtuous queen of yours, though immersed in sorrow does not blame you. Never has she suffered any hardships and you are her only refuge, do comfort her. She needs all your kindness and support, to bear the pain of my separation from her. Protect her, because pining for me, she may even die.