Reading Notes: PDE Ramayana, Section A

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One of the characters that I took a special interest in while reading Part A of the PDE Ramayana is Kaikeyi, Rama's aunt. I actually was discussing Ramayana with my mom, and she told me something really interesting about Kaikeyi in that some people say she actually loved Rama even more than she loved her own son, Bharata. Rama, too, is said to favor Kaikeyi more than his other mothers. It seemed so weird to me then, that Kaikeyi would throw her affection for Rama completely away and banish him to the forest for 14 years, all because of her jealousy for Kaushalya and the potential "humiliation" she would face if Sita becomes the queen.

On that note, I think Manthara is more than just a regular maid. To create such a drastic attitude change in Kaikeyi, I think Manthara could have been a witch of some sort, who used magic to manipulate Kaikeyi's mind and instill feelings of false jealousy. I'd love to explore the relationship between Kaikeyi and Rama some more and perhaps reveal another side to Kaikeyi, such as immense regret and sadness over her actions against Rama, as she realized her jealousy was unfounded.

Kaikeyi asking Dasharatha to grant her two boons

Characters: Kaikeyi, Dasharatha, Rama, Manthara, Kausalya

Plot: 

  • Long ago, Kaikeyi saved Dasharatha when he was severely wounded in a battle
  • Dasharatha, pleased with Kaikeyi's kindness, granted her two boons
  • Kaikeyi told Dasharatha that she will use those boons at a later time
  • After the sons are born, Kaikeyi shows great love for her sons, especially Rama
  • Manthara offends Rama as a child, and Rama accidentally offends her back
  • Manthara holds a deep grudge and hatred toward Rama
  • Before Rama is about to be crowned king, Manthara manipulates Kaikeyi
  • She tells Kaikeyi that she will become a slave to Kaushalya, and instills in her jealousy
  • Kaikeyi is terrified, and she asks Dasharatha to grant her the two boons
  • The first boon is to be used to crown Bharata as the king
  • The second boon is to be used to exile Rama to the forest for 14 years
  • Rama, with love for his parents and his respect for Kaikeyi, accepts without hesitation
  • Kaikeyi realizes her mistake and severely regrets her actions after Rama's departure
Bibliography: M. Dutt, R. Dutt, Gould, Griffith, Hodgson, Mackenzie, Nivedita, Oman, Richardson, and Ryder, PDE Ramayana, Link.

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