Up to this day I have never of my own accord done an unkindness to any one: for what offence has heaven all at once put me to such intolerable distress?
Chaupâi
Rather would I go and spend all my days in my father's house than live a servant of a rival wife. Whomever God creates the dependent of an enemy, it is good for him to die rather than live." Many such lamentable speeches did the queen utter, and Humpback, on hearing them, formed a thorough woman's device: "Why speak thus, as though patient of disgrace? Your honour and wedded joy shall yet increase daily, and may he who has plotted you this misfortune in the end reap the fruit of it himself? Since your servant, my lady, first heard the bad news, I could neither eat by day nor sleep at night. I consulted the astrologers and they declared positively: ‘Bharat shall be king; this much is certain.’ If, madam, you will only act upon it, I can tell you a way: for the king is under an obligation to you."
Dohâ 22.
"I would throw myself down a well if you told me to do so, or even abandon my husband and son. Speak, then: you see how great is my distress: why should I not do what will be for my good?"
Chaupâi
Rather would I go and spend all my days in my father's house than live a servant of a rival wife. Whomever God creates the dependent of an enemy, it is good for him to die rather than live." Many such lamentable speeches did the queen utter, and Humpback, on hearing them, formed a thorough woman's device: "Why speak thus, as though patient of disgrace? Your honour and wedded joy shall yet increase daily, and may he who has plotted you this misfortune in the end reap the fruit of it himself? Since your servant, my lady, first heard the bad news, I could neither eat by day nor sleep at night. I consulted the astrologers and they declared positively: ‘Bharat shall be king; this much is certain.’ If, madam, you will only act upon it, I can tell you a way: for the king is under an obligation to you."
Dohâ 22.
"I would throw myself down a well if you told me to do so, or even abandon my husband and son. Speak, then: you see how great is my distress: why should I not do what will be for my good?"
Chaapdi.
Taking Kaikeyi as a victim for the slaughter, the Humpback whetted the knife of treachery on her heart of stone; and the queen, like a sacrificial beast that nibbles the green sward, saw not the approaching danger. Pleasant to hear but disastrous in their results, her words were like honey mingled with deadly poison. Says the handmaid: "Do you or do you not, my lady, remember the story you once told me of the two boons promised you by the king? Ask for them now and relieve your soul: the kingdom for your son, banishment to the woods for Rama; thus shall you triumph over all your rivals. But ask not till the king has sworn by Rama, so that he may not go back from his word. If you let this night pass it will be too late; give heed to my words with all your heart."
Dohâ 23.
Said the wretch, having fully contrived her abominable design: "Go to the sulking room; make all your arrangements circumspectly, and do not yield too readily."
Chaupdi
The queen thought Humpback her best friend, and again and again extolled her cleverness, saying: "I have no such friend as you in the whole world: I had been swept away by the flood but for your support. To-morrow, if God will fulfil my desire, I will cherish you, my dear, as the apple of my eye." Thus lavishing every term of endearment on her handmaid, Kaikeyi went to the dark room; her evil temper being the soil in which the servant-girl, like the rains, had sown the seed of calamity, which, watered by treachery, 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, she undid her reign by her evil counsel. But meanwhile palace and city were given over to rejoicing, for no one knew of these wicked practices.
Taking Kaikeyi as a victim for the slaughter, the Humpback whetted the knife of treachery on her heart of stone; and the queen, like a sacrificial beast that nibbles the green sward, saw not the approaching danger. Pleasant to hear but disastrous in their results, her words were like honey mingled with deadly poison. Says the handmaid: "Do you or do you not, my lady, remember the story you once told me of the two boons promised you by the king? Ask for them now and relieve your soul: the kingdom for your son, banishment to the woods for Rama; thus shall you triumph over all your rivals. But ask not till the king has sworn by Rama, so that he may not go back from his word. If you let this night pass it will be too late; give heed to my words with all your heart."
Dohâ 23.
Said the wretch, having fully contrived her abominable design: "Go to the sulking room; make all your arrangements circumspectly, and do not yield too readily."
Chaupdi
The queen thought Humpback her best friend, and again and again extolled her cleverness, saying: "I have no such friend as you in the whole world: I had been swept away by the flood but for your support. To-morrow, if God will fulfil my desire, I will cherish you, my dear, as the apple of my eye." Thus lavishing every term of endearment on her handmaid, Kaikeyi went to the dark room; her evil temper being the soil in which the servant-girl, like the rains, had sown the seed of calamity, which, watered by treachery, 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, she undid her reign by her evil counsel. But meanwhile palace and city were given over to rejoicing, for no one knew of these wicked practices.
Dohâ 24.
All the citizens in their delight were busied with festive preparations, and the royal hall of audience was crowded with a continuous stream of people passing in and out.
Chaupdi
All the citizens in their delight were busied with festive preparations, and the royal hall of audience was crowded with a continuous stream of people passing in and out.
Chaupdi