Sooner may the moon rain sparks of fire, or nectar have the same effect as poison, than Bharata ever dream of doing injury to Rama!’

Some blamed the Creator, who had promised nectar but given them poison. The whole city was astir and everyone felt distressed. Anguish, deep and unendurable, consumed all hearts and utterly effaced all briskness.

The wives of the Brahmans and other venerable and elderly ladies of the royal family and such other ladies as were most dear to Kaikeyi began to remonstrate with her and praise her amiability; but their words pierced her like arrows.

‘You always used to say, as the whole world knows, that Bharata was not so dear to you as Rama. You were wont to love Rama; then for what offence do you now exile him to the forest?

You have never shown any jealousy of the rival queens; the whole land knows your loving disposition and your trust in them. What wrong has Kausalya done you now that you should hurl this thunderbolt upon the city?

Will Sita forgo the company of her spouse or Lakshmana stay at home? Will Bharata enjoy the sovereignty of Ayodhya or the king survive without Rama?

Reflect upon this and banish your wrath, nor make yourself a storehouse of such grief and infamy. By all means install Bharata as the Prince Regent, but why exile Rama to the forest?