Ayodhya Kaanda
66 - Dialogue between Sri Rama and His father; the sadness of the people of Ayodhya; their remonstrances with Kaikeyi
Chaupais
Description
"Pondering thus banish anger from your breast nor make yourself a storehouse of grief and infamy. By all means instal Bharata as the Prince-Regent; but what need is there for exiling Rama to the forest? Rama is not covetous of sovereignty; he is a champion of righteousness and has no relish for sensuous pleasures. Let Rama abandon his home and live with his preceptor; ask this of the king as your second boon. In case you do not follow our advice, you will gain nothing. If you have only played some joke, let us know by openly declaring it. Does a son like Rama deserve to be exiled to the woods? What will the world say about you when they hear of it? Up quickly and devise some means to avert grief and obloquy."