Kaikeyi's Two Boons

Kaikeyi threw off all her jewellery, put on soiled clothes and lay on the floor of the kopbhavan. When Dashrath came at night to share the happy news, he was alarmed to see her like this. He asked, ‘My dear, who has hurt you? Ask for whatever you wish.’ Swearing by Ram, Dashrath gave his word.

Then Kaikeyi reminded him of the past. Long ago, in a war between the gods and the asuras, Dashrath had been wounded. Kaikeyi had driven his chariot and carried him to safety. Pleased, Dashrath had granted her two boons, and she had kept them, saying, ‘I will ask for them later.’

Kaikeyi said, ‘First boon: let my Bharat be crowned instead of Ram. Second boon: let Ram go to the forest for fourteen years, dressed as an ascetic.’ Dashrath was struck as if by lightning. He fell, wept, pleaded, and even held Kaikeyi's feet, but she did not soften. All night the king lay in agony.

In the morning the minister Sumantra brought Ram. Ram was worried to see his father's state. Dashrath could not speak, so Kaikeyi told him everything. Ram's face did not change at all. He said calmly, ‘Mother, for my father's word I would even walk into fire. If Bharat becomes king, what greater joy could there be? I will leave for the forest today.’

This was the way of Raghu's family: let life go, but never let a promise break. Ram, who was to be crowned within hours, accepted exile with a smile. For him, his father's honour and dharma were greater than any kingdom. That is why Shri Ram is called ‘Maryada Purushottam’, the ideal man who never crosses the line of right conduct.