On hearing her son's loving speech the guilty woman's eyes filled with false tears, and she replied in words that pierced Bharat's ears and soul:
Chaupai
“My son, I had arranged everything with the help of poor Manthara, but God somehow spoilt my plan half-way. The king has gone to heaven.” On hearing this Bharat was overcome with distress, like an elephant at the roar of a lion. Crying, “My father, my father, alas, my father!” he fell upon the ground in grievous affliction. “I could not see you ere you left, nor did you, my father, commend me to Rama.” Again, with an effort, he collected himself and got up: “Tell me, mother, the cause of my father's death.” On hearing her son's words Kaikeyi replied, as one who drops poison into a wound, and with a glad heart, vile wretch that she was, recounted all that she had done from the very beginning.
Chaupai
“My son, I had arranged everything with the help of poor Manthara, but God somehow spoilt my plan half-way. The king has gone to heaven.” On hearing this Bharat was overcome with distress, like an elephant at the roar of a lion. Crying, “My father, my father, alas, my father!” he fell upon the ground in grievous affliction. “I could not see you ere you left, nor did you, my father, commend me to Rama.” Again, with an effort, he collected himself and got up: “Tell me, mother, the cause of my father's death.” On hearing her son's words Kaikeyi replied, as one who drops poison into a wound, and with a glad heart, vile wretch that she was, recounted all that she had done from the very beginning.