66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

mother and stepmother). “Calm yourself. Sometimes a river
runs dry, and then it cannot be said to be the fault of the river
—it’s dry because the heavens are dry. So also, our father’s
change of mind, or the apparent hardheartedness of
Kaikeyi, who has been so loving and kind, or Bharatha’s
chance of succession… . These are really not our own
doing, but some higher powers have decreed them. Fate …”
“I’ll be the fate to overpower fate itself,” said Lakshmana,
with martial arrogance. Rama argued with him further. “I’ll
change and alter fate itself, if necessary,” repeated
Lakshmana and concluded his sentence with the refrain,
“Whoever dares to oppose my aim will be destroyed.
“I know no father and no mother, other than you,” said
Lakshmana, still unsoftened. “You are everything to me. And
there is no meaning in my existence, and in the possession
of my limbs and sense intact, unless I establish you on the
throne as your right, irrespective of what a female serpent
has tried to do. My blood boils and will not calm down—you
will now see what my bow can do… .”
At this Rama held his hand back. He said, “I am firmly
convinced that our mother Kaikeyi is the one who deserves
to inherit this kingdom, having saved our father’s life and
being assured of his gratitude; it is Bharatha’s privilege—
being the one chosen by Kaikeyi; and my privilege is
renunciation and the association of enlightened hermits of
the forests. Do you want to let your anger rage until you have