Hari Aum.
Aum Sri Ramaya Namah.
Let us continue our study of the Ramayana of sage Valmiki. In the previous section, we saw how King Dasharatha sought the advice of his Guru, sages, ministers and public and decided to coronate his eldest son, Rama, as King of Kosala.
Even as Rama and the people of Ayodhya prepared themselves for the upcoming ceremony, other members of the palace gradually became aware of the King's plan.
One of the maids of Queen Kaikeyi, by the name of Manthara, decided to enjoy the view from the top of the palace the evening before the day of the coronation. She made her way there and upon arrival, was astounded by the sight. She saw the streets of Ayodhya being decorated with lotuses and lilies as well as with colourful flags. People were seen walking about in groups, laughing and chatting. Musicians played the most enchanting melodies while the air reverberated with the sound of the recitation of Vedic mantras.
Some people walked about sprinkling sandalpaste-scented water on the streets of the city while others rode well-decorated horses and elephants as if in preparation for some grand event. She observed the atmosphere of great joy and celebration as well as the decoration of the city and wondered as to the reason.
She then noticed another maid standing nearby. This was a lady who served Queen Kausalya; she had also helped care for Rama when He had been a child. Manthara asked her if she knew the reason for the joyous and festive atmosphere in Ayodhya. What was the occasion for such merriment, she enquired.
The maid of Queen Kausalya had been watching the scene with great joy. With delight, she turned to Manthara and explained the reason for the celebration in Ayodhya-- Rama was to be coronated as King of Kosala the next day! King Dasharatha had made the decision to confer the title of King upon his noble eldest son and the entire city was awaiting the happy occasion.
As Manthara heard these words, her mind was filled with shock and dismay. As she digested this unwelcome news, this turned to great anger. Turning away, she immediately went to her mistress's chambers. She had served Kaikeyi since the Queen had been a little girl and knew her extremely well.
As she swept into Kaikeyi's quarters, she found the Queen resting upon her bed. "Get up at once, O foolish Queen!" said Manthara, "you are in very grave danger though you know it not!".
Kaikeyi had been resting peacefully and was startled by the sudden arrival of her maid and her sharp words. She sat up and, observing that the maid looked most agitated, enquired as to the reason. "Dear Manthara", said she, "you look most unwell. Is something the matter?"
This question only served to infuriate the elderly lady further! In a highly incensed tone, she addressed the Queen with the following words. "You thought you were the favourite of your husband but have been deceived by him-- for he has decided to crown Prince Rama as King!"
"After sending away your son, Prince Bharata, to his maternal home, your wicked husband has sought to elevate the son of Queen Kausalya. Your rival shall now enjoy the status of being mother of the King while you, O unfortunate woman, languish in the palace having lost all relevance! You must take urgent measures to protect yourself, your son and me, before we are all undone!"
Queen Kaikeyi, however, had stopped listening to Manthara, the moment she had mentioned the coronation of Rama. Filled with joy, she said, "O Manthara, that is the most wonderful news! You have made me so happy by telling me of Rama's coronation! Here, take this beautiful jewel as a gift for bringing me so much joy-- I am truly indebted to you!". She then presented Manthara with a sparkling piece of jewellery as a present.
The maid was angered even further upon hearing these words. Filled with rage, she cast aside the jewel, and addressed the Queen again, even more harshly: "Come to your senses, O foolish Queen Kaikeyi! Do you not see-- the moment Prince Rama becomes King, He will see to it that you and your son, Prince Bharata, lose all status! You will treated as the servants of Him and His mother. It is tragic that you cannot see the great misfortune that stares you in the face!
Instead of feeling alarm at the grave danger, you celebrate-- what perverseness! Wake up, O foolish woman, before tragedy strikes you, and take action to remedy the situation!"
After hearing Manthara's unkind words, Kaikeyi responded only by praising Rama. She said: "Rama will make an excellent King, O Manthara! He is filled with many virtues, devoted to the truth, and is disciplined and grateful. Furthermore, He is the eldest son. He is the natural heir to the throne."
"Rama is devoted to me; indeed, He serves me more than He does His own mother, Kausalya. Not only this, He loves all His brothers dearly and will surely ensure the welfare of each one of them when He becomes King. I hold my son, Bharata, in high esteem, but Rama even more so!"
"And as for the throne, Bharata, being the second eldest son of the King, will inherit this after Rama completes His rule. It does not matter that he has to wait a while! When this is an occasion for great rejoicing, O Manthara, why does your mind seem to burn with anger and jealousy? You are known for your wisdom-- why then are you not happy at this wonderful event?"
The maid sighed in exasperation, and replied as follows: "O deluded and foolish Queen, it pains me to hear you utter such naive and ignorant words! Do you not know that the throne is inherited only by the eldest son? Once Prince Rama ascends the throne and becomes King, His lineage alone with continue! His future sons will inherit the kingdom. Your son, Prince Bharata, and his descendants will have no claim at all!"
"In fact, as your son is equal in merit to Prince Rama, it is likely that he will be perceived as a threat! Prince Rama will surely send him into exile, or even worse, send him to the realm of Yama, the demi-god of death! He is devoted to His brother, Lakshmana and will not hurt a hair on his head. Not so, is the case for your son, O Queen Kaikeyi. Prince Rama surely sees him as His enemy!"
"It is also well-known at the palace, O beautiful Queen, that the King has long favoured you over Queen Kausalya on account of your exceptionally lovely appearance and charm. It is very likely, therefore, that the mother of Prince Rama harbours resentment towards you. When her son becomes King, you will be cast aside like an unwanted servant! Your daughter-in-law too will grieve at her misfortune! "
"Truly, my heart bleeds for you, your son and your illustrious ancestors, O Queen! Terrible and tragic indeed will be your fate when Prince Rama becomes King!"
Upon hearing these words, doubts began to arise in the mind of Kaikeyi. For the first time, she suspected her husband. “Is it true that he deceives me?", she wondered. "After all, it is odd that he has decided to crown Rama as King so suddenly, and particularly, in the absence of my son, Bharata. Can it be that he secretly desires to deprive my son of his rights?"
"When I married him years ago, I believe he promised my father, that if I had a son, he would one day be King. Does he now seek to break that promise? If Rama becomes King, will my son be in danger as Manthara says? Will Bharata and I be cast aside and lose all status in our own home?"
Feeling greatly perturbed and angry at her husband, Queen Kaikeyi turned to her maid and said: "O Manthara! You have convinced me! I am persuaded that what you say is true. I perceive the grave danger that my son and I are in due to the devious actions of my husband. Tell me the solution! What must I do, O wise lady, to protect my son and myself? Speak, and I shall follow your instructions to the letter!"
Upon hearing these words, Manthara was at last satisfied. Finally, she thought, the Queen had come to her senses. Smiling with satisfaction, the old lady spoke the following words:
"Dear Queen, the solution is fortunately exceedingly simple! Recall that, many years ago, you had bravely saved your husband's life in battle. King Dasharatha had gone to the dreadful Dandaka forest to assist the devas in their battle against the asuras and you had chosen to accompany him there. During the battle, the King had been gravely injured and had became unconscious as a result. At that time, you had demonstrated great courage by entering the battlefield and swiftly removing him to a place of safety."
"When the King regained consciousness and discovered your bravery and love for him, risking your own life to save his, he was deeply grateful to you, O Queen! To express his immense gratitude for your noble act, he promised you two wishes. You had told me of this incident after it had occurred. As far as I am aware, you have not yet asked him to fulfil those two wishes, but the time has now come!"
"Seize this opportunity, O wise Queen, to protect your son! For the first wish from the King, ask that your own son, Prince Bharata, be crowned as King of Kosala! And, for the second, ask that Prince Rama be banished to the forests outside the kingdom for a period not less than fourteen years! He must not set foot in Ayodhya until this period is complete."
"This exile of Prince Rama will serve to ensure that your son has adequate time to win the hearts of the people and establish himself as King without danger from any enemies! In this way, O noble Queen, you will be able foil your husband's devious plans and ensure justice for your son and yourself!"
"My advice to you, O Queen, is that you should go forthwith to the the sulking chamber of the palace. (This chamber was known as 'kopa bhavan' in Sanskrit; literally meaning the 'house of anger' where members of the royal household could go when feeling agitated to have some privacy and calm themselves). Cast away your jewels, and untie your long hair to indicate your distress! Wear crumpled clothes, assume a dishevelled appearance and throw yourself onto the ground. Remain there until your husband arrives seeking to know the reason for your grief!"
"When the King comes to you, do not speak a single word to him! Remain silent while shedding tears and refuse to even look him in the eye! He will be devastated upon seeing you in this wretched state."
"We both know that he cannot bear to cause you the slightest pain and that he will do anything to relieve your suffering. He loves you so dearly, that he will be willing to give up even his life to please you, O charming Queen! Rest assured, therefore, that he will grant you your two wishes! In this way, you will be able to secure the future of your son and yourself!"
Hearing these words, Queen Kaikeyi felt greatly relieved and satisfied. She thanked Manthara profusely, declaring that she was indebted to her for her wisdom and help. She assured her maid that she would richly reward her with much wealth and elevated status once their task had been accomplished and her son had become King.
Manthara was greatly pleased and gratified at the Queen's words. She then warned her that there was no time to lose as preparations to crown Rama as King were already in full swing! Kaikeyi needed to immediately make her way to the sulking chamber and do as instructed! She therefore accompanied her mistress to the chamber and left her with the words, "Ensure, O brave Queen, that you make every effort to protect your son, the noble Prince Bharata, and yourself!"
Queen Kaikeyi, whose mind had been poisoned by the false words of Manthara, vowed to achieve her goal. Casting off her necklace and other pieces of jewellery, and unloosening her long and beautiful hair, she lay down on the ground, the picture of grief and despair.
Filled with great suspicion and anger at her husband, she awaited his arrival, promising herself that she would give up her life if she had to, but would ensure justice for her son and her illustrious family.
To be continued....
Om Sri Ramaya Namah.
Om Namo Narayana
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
P.S. This episode in the Ramayana is often mentioned by Gurus and spiritual teachers to highlight the effects of 'kusanga' or negative company. They explain that even good-hearted people (such as Queen Kaikeyi) may sometimes turn to evil ways when exposed to the persuasive false arguments of wicked individuals (such as Manthara). Hence the reason, they generally advise, that to progress spiritually, those walking the spiritual path should, while respecting all, steer clear of the company of those who do not care to attempt to practice any ethics (such as the yama and niyama of the yogic path).
Hari Aum Tat Sat.
