66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

een a world of festivities had become one of mourning.
Crowds thronged hither and thither, stood in knots at street
corners, watched the portals of the palace, speculating and
commenting. “Kaikeyi—the red-lipped prostitute,” they said.
“We never suspected that our King was so lost in
infatuation… . We thought that the red-lipped woman was
our Queen, but she has shown her true nature—using her
flesh to bait a senile male, who has sought his own ruin and
thereby the ruin of our country. Let Kaikeyi try and rule this
country with her son—there will be none left to rule over; we
will all kill ourselves or move out with Rama. Ah, unfortunate
earth not destined to have Rama as your overlord! What is
Lakshmana doing? How will he stand this separation? What
justification can there be for breaking a promise made to
Rama? Strange act of justice this! The world has suddenly
gone mad!”
Lakshmana, on hearing of the developments, was roused
like the fire starting to consume the earth on the last day.
“Food kept for the lion is sought to be fed to the street puppy
—so plans that doe-eyed Kaikeyi,” commented Lakshmana.
He picked up his sword and bow, put on his battle dress,
and aggressively roamed the streets swearing, “Rama shall
be crowned, and whoever comes in the way will be
annihilated. Let the whole world come, I’ll destroy everyone
who opposes, and pile up their carcasses sky high. I’ll seize
the crown and will not rest till I place it on Rama’s head. This
I’ll achieve this very day, this very day.” Seeing his fiery eyes