Two Boons

Kaikeyi’s mind was poisoned completely

She was determined to achieve her ends discreetly

The only thing in her mind was to banish Rama

So she decided to create one hell of a drama!

She went to a room that was dark in a corner

And started to do things that spoiled her honor

She untied her hair and let it loose

Broke her bangles and behaved obtuse

Rehearsed in her mind, the words she must speak

She was determined to climb the forbidden peak

With pretentious tears rolling down her cheek

As if set on fire she started to squeak

Innocent Dasaratha came to her room

The sight that he saw shocked him, boom

Treating his wife like a little child

He spoke words of love that were gentle and mild

“What has happened to my beloved queen?

Why has she lost her lustre and sheen?

This distress in her, never have I seen!

From the days she were a cute little teen”

Saying thus, he kissed on her cheek

This love for her, made him weak

With kisses and caress he urged her to speak

Completely vulnerable to the damage she could wreak!

“My problem is mine, let it be!

There are thousand other women, you could see!

I want to stay in this room till my last

And until then, I am planning to fast”

Baffled by his wife’s unusual words

He felt as if he were cut by swords

“Don’t speak words that tear me apart

Of all my wives you’re a gem in my heart

Not just you, the whole world know this

And yet you choose to speak like this”

“Please do tell me, what went wrong?

Instead of sulking, please come strong

What has made you bitter and sad?

Did anyone dare to treat you bad?”

“All I want is that you tell me once

To wipe your misery, my orders would bounce”

Saying thus, the King begged and pleaded

After much sulking she slowly yielded

“None has dared to treat me bad

That isn’t the reason that makes me sad

What torments me is your forgetful mind!

And the contradicting act, so loving and kind”

Dasaratha was now quiet puzzled

He didn’t know why her talk was muffled

Seldom did he realise that it was a trap

Waiting his entry so that it can wrap

“What is that I forgot?

What is that, my Queen hasn’t got?”

What is that, you want from me?

I’ll get it done, what ever it be”

“Should I punish an innocent man?

Or is there something you want me to ban?

But please! Let me see your smile again

And the favour of your love let me gain”

“I don’t want to punish any innocent one

Nor, justice for my sake, need you shun

All I want is that you keep up your word

Like your forefathers who ruled the world”

Dasaratha was yet again more confused

Bewildering thoughts in him, her words infused

“What word do you want me to keep up now?

I would’ve done that long, if I knew how?”

“Do you remember the Sambarasura war?

When our chariot’s axle broke I drove you afar

Protecting you from a shameful defeat

Delighted were you, with my feat!”

“Then we made a quick retreat

And made the enemy taste defeat

You praised me with words flattering and sweet

And offered me two boons, as a success treat”

“Oh! Those two boons!” Dasaratha smiled

“Is that what made you wild?

Didn’t you say that you’ll accept them later?

Redeem them now, what’s the matter?”

Kaikeyi’s trap grew tighter and tighter

And so her face became brighter and brighter!

“Do you say that I can take up my right?

And you will not, back up and fight?”

“Why will I ever go back on my word?

For I am the father of Rama in this world

On my beloved Rama’s life, I say

What I owe you, I am ready to pay”

A promise on Rama was all that she needed

She was rejoicing at heart that the king had heeded

Now she spoke with ultimate confidence

Words that were poisonous marked with impudence

“May Bharatha become king and sit on the throne!

Rama for fourteen years, to the jungle, be gone”

Dasaratha’s head, now started to spin

But the wicked Kaikeyi rejoiced her win

Dasaratha for a moment blacked out clean

Then on the wall near by, he did lean

Dropped down to the floor like a lifeless one

Thinking only of Rama, his beloved son

He then somehow regained his senses

Helplessly hoping her acts would be pretenses

“Kaikeyi! Kaikeyi! Kaikeyi! My dear wife!

Why have you brought up this bitter strife?”

“What harm have I done, you avenge me thus?

Has Rama anyway offended us?

A moment ago I promised Him, The Royal Crown

Now how could I make his warm face frown?”

“My son Rama is the best among the best

He would renounce the kingdom at my behest

But why do you want Him go to the forest?

This request of yours is cunning and basest”

“Please my wife! Don’t kill me

Rama in the palace let Him be

Coronation of Bharatha, He would happily see

For my Rama’s heart is larger than the sea”

“What has happened to you, brave warrior?

To keep up your word, what’s the barrier?

A moment ago you promised on Rama’s life

Now you deform it with this pleading knife”

“You boasted yourself to be Rama’s father

Now your words of promise, you throw away farther

Be a man and do what is right

Or I’ll speak to Rama. You keep quiet”

Dasaratha wanted to smash Kaikeyi’s head

But to wound a woman was not in his blood

He no more wanted to look at her face

He slowly entered his deathbed phase

Giving up all hope he became silent

Thinking, ‘Why fate on me, has become so violent?’

Seeing Dasaratha would not utter a word

Kaikeyi herself took the step forward

She ordered her servants to summon Rama

Not bothering about her husband’s trauma

There came Rama like the virtue’s form

Jai Shri Ram! Jai Jai Shri Ram!