The stories in Bengali Krittibasi Ramayana is slightly different from Valmiki Ramayana. The story of Kaikeyi and her boons from King Dasharatha is an integral part of the Hindu epic, the Ramayana. The story is slightly different from the original Ramayana. Here is an expanded version of the narrative:
King Dasharatha, the mighty ruler of Ayodhya, had three
queens: Kausalya, Sumitra, and Kaikeyi. Among them, Kaikeyi was especially dear
to him. Kaikeyi was not only beautiful and charming but also brave and skilled
in warfare. She had once accompanied King Dasharatha to the battlefield against
the fierce demon Sambhara.
During the battle, King Dasharatha was severely wounded.
Despite the intense pain, he continued to fight valiantly. Kaikeyi, who
possessed knowledge of the Sanjivani mantra—a powerful healing chant—rushed to
his aid. She treated his wounds with the mantra, alleviating his pain and
helping him recover quickly. Grateful for her timely intervention and care,
King Dasharatha expressed his deep gratitude.
"O beloved queen," said King Dasharatha, "you
have helped me in my time of dire need and saved my life. Your bravery and
devotion are unmatched. Ask for a boon, and I shall grant it without
hesitation."
Kaikeyi, humble and wise, decided to consult her maid,
Manthara, who was known for her cunning and shrewd advice. Manthara suggested
that the queen should not ask for a boon immediately but reserve it for a more
opportune time when it could be of greater advantage. Trusting Manthara's
judgment, Kaikeyi conveyed her decision to the king.
"My lord," Kaikeyi said, "your generosity
touches my heart. However, I wish to keep this boon for a future occasion when
I might truly need it."
King Dasharatha, respecting her wishes, agreed without
pressing further.
Time passed, and another incident showcased Kaikeyi's
unwavering loyalty and love for the king. One day, King Dasharatha's nail
became severely infected, causing him immense pain as blood and pus oozed from
it. The royal physician examined the king and declared that the only cure was
to have someone suck out the pus, a task that required great courage and
dedication due to its unpleasantness.
Kaikeyi, without a moment's hesitation, volunteered for the
task. Her love for the king outweighed any revulsion she might have felt. She
sucked out the pus and spat it out, bringing immediate relief to King
Dasharatha. Deeply moved by her sacrifice and unwavering devotion, the king
once again offered her a boon.
"O noble queen," he said, "your act of
selflessness has eased my suffering. Ask for anything, and it shall be
yours."
Kaikeyi, maintaining her earlier stance, replied, "My
lord, I will ask for my boon when the time is right."
King Dasharatha, though curious, honored her wish and did
not insist.
Years later, as the time approached for the coronation of
Prince Rama, King Dasharatha decided to make his eldest son the crown prince.
This joyous news spread throughout the kingdom, filling the hearts of the
people with happiness. However, Manthara, sensing an opportunity, approached
Kaikeyi with a malicious plan.
She reminded Kaikeyi of the two boons that King Dasharatha
had promised her. Manthara, with her venomous words, poisoned Kaikeyi's mind,
making her believe that the future of her own son, Bharata, would be
jeopardized if Rama ascended the throne. She advised Kaikeyi to use the boons
to ensure that Bharata would become the crown prince instead of Rama and that
Rama should be exiled to the forest for fourteen years.
Kaikeyi, influenced by Manthara's manipulation, reluctantly
approached King Dasharatha to claim her boons. The king, bound by his promise
and unaware of the brewing storm, agreed to fulfill her wishes. The two boons
Kaikeyi demanded were:
Bharata should be crowned as the crown prince.
Rama should be exiled to the forest for fourteen years.
King Dasharatha, heartbroken and devastated, had no choice
but to honor his word. The events that followed led to profound sorrow for the
royal family and set the stage for the unfolding of the Ramayana's epic
journey.
Thus, the boons that Kaikeyi had reserved at Manthara's behest played a crucial role in the epic, illustrating themes of duty, loyalty, and the far-reaching consequences of one's actions.