Kaikeyi and Kooni
Kaikeyi,
my mistress, had been resting soundly when the vile Kooni erupted
through the doors and shouted for her to wake. The old humpback
was twittering
wildly, hardly forming discernable words in a wave of shrieks and
gasps. My noble lady opened her almond eyes but did not rise and
merely requested Kooni see
a physician (and rightly so) as soon as possible. Kooni became
indignant at my mistress's nonchalance.
"Do you know that your beauty and youth are your only source of strength? And you owe your position as the queen of a world conqueror to your beauty?" Kooni asked.
My mistress was unimpressed with this tirade, knowing full well the powers she possessed as a proud warrior. Kooni, that ridiculous humpback, then announced to my queen that her doom was upon her. Kaikeyi, tiring of her jester's antics, sat up to listen. Kooni then began to explain Rama's impending coronation. Kaikeyi was thrilled at this news, having loved Rama as much as her very own son Bharata since their births. My mistress, in her gladness, even gave the creature a strand of precious pearls from around her elegant neck - an offering I quite appreciated as that necklace had been rubbing me raw for days. Kooni's angst, however, could be consoled.
She lamented, again, Kaikeyi's impending "doom," and then began to tell my lady of the cunning and trickery of King Dasaratha - how he had promised to make Kaikeyi's son the heir-apparent if only Kaikeyi's father would grant her hand in marriage. This piece of information, I gather, was not known by my mistress, as I felt her soft skin immediately begin to burn beneath me. Her heart began to race and her eyes, so much lately tamed and soft, became lightning once more - as in the days of her young warriorship. I must admit I would have trembled, if I had the potential, when I felt her anger pulse beneath her smooth skin.
This was the ultimate betrayal. Even though she loved Rama as her own son, Dasaratha's betrayal was unforgivable. If the agreement between her father and her husband had truly been struck, then it must be carried out. Dasaratha was showing nothing but dishonor, not only to Kaikeyi's father and family, but to his own, and thus to her. Kooni's words trampled resolutely over my lady's better reason, appealing only to the warrior queen within.
Oh shame to Kooni, the deceitful, plotting vile creature that she was.
Kaikeyi knew the course she must take...and she knew the consequences. Her mind was set, her bold heart, though she would never admit it, torn.
Succumbing to her own fury and grief, Kaikeyi, and I too of course, rushed to the kapa gruha and, in her madness, she ripped her delicate sari from her body, pulled at her perfect hair, and threw her jewelry from her - even me, who landed on a pillow not far from where she finally collapsed, sobbing. Her mind, blessed be her heart, was in turmoil. She knew the proper method for handling betrayers - what grave consequences awaited a man who proved treacherous to his army. His punishment must be death, and death alone.
Kaikeyi shuddered on the cold marble floor. Her mind was ablaze with anger, but this did not completely wipe away the love she felt for her husband. She knew her requests would mean the king's death, though if another test of strength ended his life, then he was too weak to rule regardless. He must pass this trial, or end his life. There was no other way. Honor must be upheld...a warrior's honor.
It was not long before my king arrived. They spoke at length, Dasaratha attempting to quiet her grief, though the dolt had no clue what was going on, and she trying to gather the forbearance to ask her husband to fulfill her promises. At last, she asked him.
Rama must be exiled and Bharata made king, as promised to her father long ago.
The king was appalled at my mistress's request and called her a demon, among other equally impolite things. He begged her to reconsider, to take back her request for Rama's fourteen year exile. He would give her son the throne, if only she would allow Rama to stay. Kaikeyi, however, knew what lay in store for Rama in his future - she knew the face of a warrior before her, knew the strength of his arms, and the cunning of his mind. His way must be tested, and this test would come as his father's had - beyond the city walls, in the depths of the forests beyond.
Dead silence took over the room, the tension thick. Kaikeyi would have her wishes and would accept them with the heaviest of hearts.
Kaikeyi and Dasaratha
"Do you know that your beauty and youth are your only source of strength? And you owe your position as the queen of a world conqueror to your beauty?" Kooni asked.
My mistress was unimpressed with this tirade, knowing full well the powers she possessed as a proud warrior. Kooni, that ridiculous humpback, then announced to my queen that her doom was upon her. Kaikeyi, tiring of her jester's antics, sat up to listen. Kooni then began to explain Rama's impending coronation. Kaikeyi was thrilled at this news, having loved Rama as much as her very own son Bharata since their births. My mistress, in her gladness, even gave the creature a strand of precious pearls from around her elegant neck - an offering I quite appreciated as that necklace had been rubbing me raw for days. Kooni's angst, however, could be consoled.
She lamented, again, Kaikeyi's impending "doom," and then began to tell my lady of the cunning and trickery of King Dasaratha - how he had promised to make Kaikeyi's son the heir-apparent if only Kaikeyi's father would grant her hand in marriage. This piece of information, I gather, was not known by my mistress, as I felt her soft skin immediately begin to burn beneath me. Her heart began to race and her eyes, so much lately tamed and soft, became lightning once more - as in the days of her young warriorship. I must admit I would have trembled, if I had the potential, when I felt her anger pulse beneath her smooth skin.
This was the ultimate betrayal. Even though she loved Rama as her own son, Dasaratha's betrayal was unforgivable. If the agreement between her father and her husband had truly been struck, then it must be carried out. Dasaratha was showing nothing but dishonor, not only to Kaikeyi's father and family, but to his own, and thus to her. Kooni's words trampled resolutely over my lady's better reason, appealing only to the warrior queen within.
Oh shame to Kooni, the deceitful, plotting vile creature that she was.
Kaikeyi knew the course she must take...and she knew the consequences. Her mind was set, her bold heart, though she would never admit it, torn.
Succumbing to her own fury and grief, Kaikeyi, and I too of course, rushed to the kapa gruha and, in her madness, she ripped her delicate sari from her body, pulled at her perfect hair, and threw her jewelry from her - even me, who landed on a pillow not far from where she finally collapsed, sobbing. Her mind, blessed be her heart, was in turmoil. She knew the proper method for handling betrayers - what grave consequences awaited a man who proved treacherous to his army. His punishment must be death, and death alone.
Kaikeyi shuddered on the cold marble floor. Her mind was ablaze with anger, but this did not completely wipe away the love she felt for her husband. She knew her requests would mean the king's death, though if another test of strength ended his life, then he was too weak to rule regardless. He must pass this trial, or end his life. There was no other way. Honor must be upheld...a warrior's honor.
It was not long before my king arrived. They spoke at length, Dasaratha attempting to quiet her grief, though the dolt had no clue what was going on, and she trying to gather the forbearance to ask her husband to fulfill her promises. At last, she asked him.
Rama must be exiled and Bharata made king, as promised to her father long ago.
The king was appalled at my mistress's request and called her a demon, among other equally impolite things. He begged her to reconsider, to take back her request for Rama's fourteen year exile. He would give her son the throne, if only she would allow Rama to stay. Kaikeyi, however, knew what lay in store for Rama in his future - she knew the face of a warrior before her, knew the strength of his arms, and the cunning of his mind. His way must be tested, and this test would come as his father's had - beyond the city walls, in the depths of the forests beyond.
Dead silence took over the room, the tension thick. Kaikeyi would have her wishes and would accept them with the heaviest of hearts.
Kaikeyi and Dasaratha
Bibliography: Narayan,
R.K. (1972) The Ramayana.
Author's Note: In this story, I hoped to establish the reasons behind Kaikeyi's actions, casting aside the popular accusation that she was merely behaving selfishly. Instead, I attempted to establish, through her necklace's viewpoint, that she, always the warrior, sought to uphld the family's name. She is appalled by the news that Dasaratha does not intend to uphold his vow to her father, and he must, therefore, suffer the consequences. In my interpretation, I felt that she would have been most wounded by the prospect of her husband's betrayal - an action seen as unforgivable in her eyes. Knowing the consequences of these actions, Kaikeyi is forced to make Dasaratha fulfill the two promises he offered when she rescued him. I believe she was well-aware that this course would lead ultimately to his death from overwhelming grief, and thus, her own grief for having to carry through with her plan. She is not heartless, but she does contain the heart of a warrior - always prepared to do what she must in the face of betrayal and ultimate survival.
Back to the Coverpage...
Author's Note: In this story, I hoped to establish the reasons behind Kaikeyi's actions, casting aside the popular accusation that she was merely behaving selfishly. Instead, I attempted to establish, through her necklace's viewpoint, that she, always the warrior, sought to uphld the family's name. She is appalled by the news that Dasaratha does not intend to uphold his vow to her father, and he must, therefore, suffer the consequences. In my interpretation, I felt that she would have been most wounded by the prospect of her husband's betrayal - an action seen as unforgivable in her eyes. Knowing the consequences of these actions, Kaikeyi is forced to make Dasaratha fulfill the two promises he offered when she rescued him. I believe she was well-aware that this course would lead ultimately to his death from overwhelming grief, and thus, her own grief for having to carry through with her plan. She is not heartless, but she does contain the heart of a warrior - always prepared to do what she must in the face of betrayal and ultimate survival.
Back to the Coverpage...