Ayodhya was in a mood of festive celebration
Its every street glittering with floral decoration
For the Prince of the city, worthy of adoration
Was going to have His official coronation
The market was buzzing with people, like bees
Services were offered without collecting fees
People were dancing for their King to be
Children ran about in unrestrained glee
Queen Kausalya gave gifts to people, leaving out none
Requesting their support and blessings for her Son
This lucky woman was the mother of Shri Rama
Blessed was she, for Rama Himself called her mama!
A hunchback woman watched all this sight
And started to feel that something isn’t right
She asked a maid about what had happened
On hearing the reply her wicked face darkened
Straight away she hurried to Kaikeyi’s apartment
And poked her nose into the political department
“Fool must be you, for you to sleep!
Time has come for you to weep!”
Saying this, she shook the queen
Shrinking her eyes with a wicked sheen
Kaikeyi woke up with an innocent smile
Ignorant of events, all this while
“When Rama loves me more than His mother
What in the world do I have to bother?
Though I am the second Queen of the King
My name is the first, the King’s lips would sing”
“Why on earth must I weep?
What on earth made you peep?
Why did you disturb my pleasant sleep?
What has happened, that annoys you deep?”
“Your husband has pronounced Rama King
By which he has cut off Bharatha’s wing”
Hearing these words Kaikeyi was happy
The hunchbacked called her stupid and sappy
“You must be a thick skulled one
For you have lost and Kausalya won
On top of this you jump with joy
While Kausalya has made a King of her boy”
“Stop it Manthara!” Kaikeyi said
“Enough of your ranting, I have heard
Rama and Bharatha are my right and left eyes
Of which Rama is certainly elder and wise”
“Rama to rule would be just and right
Between brothers, Don't you dare to start a fight
They both love each other like flesh and blood
The path walked by Rama, Bharatha would tread”
Seeing that Kaikeyi’s noble heart will not falter
And her good will on Rama will not alter
Manthara changed her course of action
Only Rama’s exile would give her satisfaction
She then pretended to cry a bit
And then attempted to try her wit
“Oh woman! How will I make you understand?
The vulnerable position in which you would stand!”
“You are utterly innocent, ignorant and naïve
Against you, has turned, the fatal wave
When Rama becomes King and starts His Rule
Who will he support? Think you fool!”
“His in-laws and your parents have been at war
King Dasaratha fought for you and kept them afar
Now will Rama fight for His In-laws?
Or would He bother to care for His father’s in-laws?”
“Moreover, you are just His step mother
His love for you would easily wither
Sita is much beauteous and pretty
In front of her joy, all else would be petty”
These cunning words did the trick
At Kaikeyi’s heart, thorns did prick
Her love for parents made her insane
Her love for Rama started to wane
Thus fate had succeeded in making its move
Creating a wonderful scope for Rama to prove
That even in jungle He could be content and calm
Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!!
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