Dasharatha pleaded and wept but to no avail. Perhaps this was the way the gods wanted Rama to go into the forest to destroy demons like Ravana, but Dasharatha was not to know that. He was a father grieving for his son. He begged Kaikeyi to demand anything else, the most precious jewels or kingdom, but not to send Rama into the forest to face untold hardship and dangers. But he could not move Kaikeyi’s heart. “If you fail to keep your promise and grant me the boons I have asked for, I shall take poison and commit suicide,” threatened Kaikeyi. It was soon morning and the preparations for the coronation of the Crown Prince began in the palace. Sage Vasishtha and the others were not aware of Dasharatha’s despair. “Send for Rama, O King, and order him to go now,” said Kaikeyi.
The Dark Night
