Kaikeyi

 

Kaikeyi
The untold story of a woman who invited disasters upon her and incessantly suffered to save humanity!

1.

After the fierce battle at the mountain head of Shri Lanka, Rawana finally collapsed as the arrow of Rama pierced his chest. Knowing the last moment has arrived; Rawana summoned Rama close to him and said, “Give my respects to mother Kaikeyi because now I am finally liberated. Thank her on my behalf!” and breathed his last.

Rama was perturbed over why should Rawana thank Kaikeyi when he never has met her in life.

Leaving behind the question for a while Rama returned to Ayodhya with Sita and his aides. Ayodhya was decorated to welcome him. The people were rejoicing his return after a long exile and great feats. He had saved mankind by killing an evil Rawana!

As Rama stepped down from the divine plane “Pushpaka”, his eyes searched for Kaikeyi. He didn’t find her anywhere in the royal family gathering which was shouting slogans in his respect.

Without glancing even at his mother Kausalya, he entered the royal palace and desperately searched for Kakeyi. Finally, he found her on the rooftop, alone and face saddened, though her eyes were gleaming with joy.

Kaikeyi heard the footsteps of Rama and trying to control her feelings glanced at him. Rama touched her feet and told her the last message from Rawana. He asked, “Why O mother should he thank you? He was my enemy and I killed him on the battlefield to rescue my wife. Strangely, he thanked you when I am not sure you ever had seen him in person!”

Kaikeyi let out a sigh and refused to talk on that issue. But Rama insisted. Kaikeyi said, “You are doing the same mistake my mother once did. But well, I am overburdened by the secret I have been keeping to myself for a long time. I am called a merciless, cruel greedy woman and have been abused by one and all ever since you left for an exile! Let me release my burden and end the curse of life!” And she began to tell her story.

2.

Kaikeyi was the daughter of mighty Ashvapati, king of Kekya state, situated beyond Gandhar. Ashvapati was a philosopher-king. He owned the largest cavalry in the world. No enemy could ever dare him. He enjoyed his life in the company of his beautiful wife Devavati and daughter young Kaikeyi.

Ashvapati had a boon that he could understand the bird’s language. The caveat was he should not reveal ever whatever he heard to anyone, or else he will instantly die.

Once, on a beautiful evening, he was taking a stroll in the garden around the palace with Devavati. He overheard two swans conversing something in amusement that gave Ashvapati a hearty laugh. Curious Devavati pestered him to share with her what he heard. Ashvapati avoided but when he saw his wife is forcing him to divulge what could take his life for certain, he got angry. He thought his wife doesn’t care for his life. In a fit of anger, he banished her and their daughter Kaikeyi from Kekaya state.

Devavati’s future suddenly had been doomed. Her father too didn’t shelter her. As if all doors to destiny and solace suddenly had closed over her. She had to resort to find shelter in a jungle, in Gandhar kingdom, near a village, and do hard work to feed herself and young Kaikeyi.

Kaikeyi was a brave girl. She fought with the ruthless predators who would try to harm her mother. Soon she grew up and acquired fame as a great archer and charioteer. She even defeated the king of Gandhar in a chariot race and archery competition. The king fell in love with her but she refused to marry him. She had seen her mother’s tragedy and had no intention to get engaged with any man.

Devavati was now getting older and now only desire had haunted her to express her repentance and seek forgiveness from Ashvapati before she dies. Though Kaikeyi had no affection left for her father, she decided to fulfill her mother’s wish. One fine day both left for Kekaya kingdom.

This was the time when King Dasharatha of Ayodhya attacked Kekaya. The mighty Kekaya army was finding it hard to stand before Dasharatha’s valor. In an attack, Kekay army got disintegrated and chose to flee helter-skelter.

The scene was intolerable to Kaikeyi. She rushed to the battlefield, gathering the fleeing army, and to the surprise of Dasharatha, she led retaliation in full vigor. Dasharatha was wonderstruck. He somehow managed to reinforce his army but Kaikeyi’s strategies worked so well on the battlefield that he had to agree to peace.

Ashvapati realized it was his exiled daughter who saved the country from defeat, though still, he had resentment for Devavati. Kaikeyi was welcomed into the city with a grand celebration. She was offered the crown by her father but she humbly denied it and requested her father to listen to her mother and forgive her.

Ashvapati did so. At that moment Devavati was so overwhelmed she breathed her last in the arms of saddened Ashvapati.

Here, Dasharatha had become crazy for Kaikeyi. He was mesmerized by her valor and archery skills. Her beauty had enchanted him. In the court of Ashvapati, he requested the hand of Kaikeyi. Ashvapati was delighted for who else could be the better match for his daughter in the whole world than Dasharatha? He gave his permission.

After Dasharatha and Kaikeyi’s wedding, in the evening, he met his daughter. He had lost all his interest in life after Devavati’s death and all futile life. He shared his boon with his daughter knowing that the act was an invitation to instant death.

King Ashvapati was no more. After a few days, grief-stricken Kaikeyi left for Ayodhya with Dasharatha, accompanied by a maid, a hunchback, Manthara. She knew not what destiny was waiting on her. She was fallen into the realm of uncertainty and gloom as they traveled. Dashratha tried his best to keep her pleased but in vain.

3.

In Ayodhya, she established friendly relations with Dashratha’s other wives Kaushalya and Sumitra. The stories of her valor had already reached Ayodhya hence the people too highly respected her and sang her praises.

Soon, Dashratha had to join God Indra to wage a war against a cruel King Shambarasura. Dasharatha chose Kaikeyi as his charioteer. Kaikeyi accompanied him in the war. She too fought bravely against the demons. At a crucial moment, Dashratha’s chariot wheel got disengaged. Kaikeyi was thrown in the air as the chariot lost balance. Dashratha seemed to lose the battle. Kaikeyi instantly gathered herself and rushed to the chariot and desperately managed the chariot wheel in place using her hand while fighting with the charging enemy with another hand. Dasharatha could return the attack as he regained his balance and composure. Kaikeyi got wounded in this effort but finally, Dasharatha won.

The same evening, victorious Dasharatha offered her two boons. Kaikeyi was about to refuse but she heard a bird saying, “save the boons for later times. Do not refuse them. You are going to need them in the future!”

Kaikeyi followed the instructions and thanked Dashratha for the boons and said, “ I will ask what I want if the time comes. Let them be treasured with you…but do not forget to give if I ask for them!”

4.

Soon after the birth of Rama to Kausalya, Kaikeyi too gave birth to Bharata and Sumitra to Laksman and Shatrughna.  Though Bharat was her son, she adored and loved Rama very much. Most of the time of Rama would be spent in the Kaikeyi’s palace.

Years passed. King Janaka of Videha declared Svayamvara of Sita. Who could be the better choice for Rama than unparalleled beauty, Sita? Swayamvara involved a competition that whoever could wield a heavy bow and string could marry Sita. The bow was presented to Janaka by Lord Shiva after a penance.

Rama was the only young man who could wield the bow but as he tried to string it the bow broke into two pieces making a thunderous sound that shook the earth and heaven.

The sound reached Lord Shiva who got enraged as he saw his bow was broken.  He cursed instantly, “The young man will die soon and disastrous calamities will befall his kingdom.” His consort Parvati got worried over this instantaneous curse and tried to soothe Lord Shiva, begging mercy. Shiva was pacified soon and said, he cannot take back his curse but if he stays away from his kingdom and kills cruel Rawana, he will be safe.  Rawana, my devotee, has become a curse to the earth! He must be killed, but I know this is an impossible feat. Sooner or later, the young man is destined to die!” Parvati wanted desperately to make this known to Rama, but Lord Shiva prohibited her to interfere.

But, as it was destined, a swan returning from Man Sarovara overheard this conversation. Meanwhile, the marriage of Rama-Sita had taken place. The young couple was too happy to get united. They didn’t know what had transpired in the abode of Lord Shiva!

The swan flew to Ayodhya. The divine swan knew the powers Kaikeyi possessed. Kaikeyi was too worried and terrified after listening to Lord Shiva’s curse. Manthara came to her rescue. She reminded her of the boons that Dasharatha had offered her and asked to use them now as this was the only opportune time.

Kaikeyi knew she openly couldn’t give any reasoning for demanding the boons. She loved Rama so much, couldn’t even imagine any slightest harm done to him. Same time she had heard so many horrific stories of Rawana’s cruelty and injustice. He was certainly up to destroying the earth and mankind. She was in a dilemma. But her resolve grew stronger as the night passed by. In the early morning, she sent for Dashratha and reminded him of the boons he had offered her.

She demanded Rama’s exile for fourteen years and the throne for her son Bharata. Kaikeyi was blamed for her being a selfish and cruel woman, but the truth was otherwise. Dasharatha couldn’t imagine any other secret reason behind these sudden demands. Dasharatha cursed her and abused her but she stood strong with her demands. Dasharatha had to concede with her. Knowing this, Bharata too got very much angry with her. Rather, she all of sudden became a wicked woman for all.

Rama and Sita left for exile, accompanied by Laxmana. At that moment the whole city was in anguish and angered by Kaikeyi’s inhuman act. Kaikeyi sat alone in the dark corners of her palace knowing from now onwards she has to live life in the company of hatred.

She knew very well that Bharata would never accept the throne. He couldn’t betray Rama. And Bharata too really rejected the throne to her relief!

Another stroke of destiny on her was, agonized Dashratha died soon after Rama’s departure. The tragedy was, that she was denied seeing him in his last moments.

Afterward, she lived life like an ascetic, secluded and in the company of her grief. She mutely took all abuses and resentments without uttering a word. She kept receiving the news on Rama’s movements through Manthara, was very unhappy when she learned of Sita’s abduction, and was worried and desperately praying when Rama was fighting with Wali and then Rawana!

Now Rama was back. Standing in front of her, both his hands folded and weeping incessantly for what his mother silently had suffered, for the cause of the universe and his life!

He touched her feet. The light grew…the whole earth started shining with the divine light. All surrounding seemed to be melting in that shine. The sky and earth seemed to merge.

She said as she was almost disappearing, “Rawana, a great devotee of Shiva, knew almost everything of this. He knew if he gets killed by you, only then he will attain heaven after death…” Now she was almost disappeared but the sound of Kaikeyi was reverberating across the earth and heaven, “Rama, my boon was associated with a curse. As soon I reveal the truth, just like my father, I too was to die! But I am happy that my suffering has yielded a great divinity like you! The whole universe will sing ballads full of your praises. Let now the universe call me a selfish and cruel mother…forever. I don’t care! Goodbye son!”

 

-Sanjay Sonawani