Manthara, the hunchback, queen kaikayi childhood nurse, looked down from the palace terrace and saw the gay decorations in the streets. Flags and festoons were being hung up and lotus petals scattered on the roads. What was the cause for rejoicing, She wondered and asked queen kausalyas maid. Don't you know that our beloved Rama will be proclaimed crown prince tomorrow morning? said the maid. choking with rage, manthara rushed to kaikayi who was resting. Get up you foolish woman! screamed manthara. can't you see the danger threatening you! Rama will be proclaimed crown prince tomorrow!
kaikayi was delighted at the news. She took off a necklace and giving it to manthara said, oh manthara, you have brought such wonderful news! Rama will make a fine king. I am very happy! This made manthara more angry. She flung the necklace away. Are you so stupid! don't you realise that when Rama becomes king, bharata will be his servant and kaikayi, kausalyas handmaid, she cried. What nonsense! exclaimed kaikayi. Rama loves me as much as his own mother, and he is devoted to all his brothers. Why, after Rama, bharata will be king.Manthara laughed scornfully. Stupid women! Rama son will be king after him, not bharata will be Rama slave and will probably die in exile. If that's what you want, I have nothing more to say! these words shocked kaikayi. manthara kept on till kaikayi cried out, what shall I do to save my bharata? manthara quickly replied ,remember the two boons the king promised when you saved his life on the battlefield. Ask for them now. What should I ask? what should I say? kaikayi asked helplessly. First demand that bharata be named crown prince instead of Rama and then that Rama go to forest for fourteen years. By the time Rama returns, the people will have forgotten him. kaikayi agreed. That evening when he had finished his Royal duties the king went to the queens apartment to give kaikayi the good news. he was sure she would be pleased for she was fond of Rama. But when he entered her rooms he found kaikayi lying on the floor, her hair in disarray, her ornaments scattered around her the picture of despair. What's the matter? asked the king. Are you I'll? shall I send for the court physician? kaikayi did not reply and dasaratha became anxious. He pleaded with her to tell him what was wrong. At last kaikayi spoke. I am not I'll, she said. Just promise to grant me what I ask. I swear by rama I shall grant you whatever you ask, dasaratha promise. Grant me the two boons you promised me on the battlefield, or I swear I shall kill myself. dasaratha smiled. Ask for whatever you wish. dasaratha never goes back on his word. Make bharata crown prince, said kaikayi. Then after a pause she added, and banish rama to the forest for fourteen years to live like a hermit. Dasaratha was stunned. He could not believe his ears. Banish rama! banish my beloved son who is adored by my people! do you know what you are asking! how can I banish him without reason! ask some other boon, O wicked women! but kaikayi would not listen. rama had to go, nothing else would satisfy her. Dasaratha argued, pleaded and threatened in turn , all through the night, but in vain. So the night passed and the fateful morning dawned.