But ask not till the king has sworn by Rama, so that he may not go back on his promise. If you let this night pass, the scheme will fail; cherish my words as dearer than life.’

Having thus hatched her abominable design against the queen, the wretch continued, ‘Betake yourself to the sulking-room; make your preparations discreetly, and be not too ready to put faith in the king.’

The queen believed the humpback to be dear as life, and again and again extrolled her cleverness, saying, ‘I have no such friend as you in the whole world; you have lent your support to one who was drifting along a stream.

If God fulfils my heart’s desire tomorrow, I shall cherish you, dear girl, as the apple of my eye.’ Thus lavishing every term of endearment on her handmaid, Kaikeyi retired to the dark room.

Discord was the seed, handmaid (Manthara) the rainy reason and Kaikeyi’s perverted mind the soil. Watered by treachery, the seedling took root and sprouted with the two boons as its leaves, and in the end ruin for its fruit.

Gathering about her every token of resentment, Kaikeyi lay down on the floor in the sulking-room; while enjoying sovereignty; she was betrayed by her own wicked mind. But the king’s palace and the city were given over to sounds of rejoicing; nobody had any inkling of this evil design.

In their ecstasy of joy all the citizens, both men and women, busied themselves with festive preparations, and the entrance to the royal palace was crowded with a continuous stream of people going in and coming out.