66697602-The-Ramayana-R-K-Narayan

stayed there. Although I had shed my physical body, the pain
had remained unmitigated—until this minute. It is now gone.
You with Sita are the primordial being and I was indeed
blessed to have begotten you as my son. This is a moment
of fulfillment for me. I have nothing more to say and I will go
back to my world and repose there in eternal peace. But
before I go I want you to ask of me something, anything, any
wish I could fulfill for you.”
Rama said, “Your arrival here is the greatest boon for me,
and I have nothing more to seek. All along, my only desire
has been to see you again, and that is fulfilled.” Dasaratha
still insisted that Rama should state a wish that he could
grant. Rama said, “If that is so, please find a place in your
heart for both Kaikeyi and Bharatha, and take back your vow
by which you cut off their blood connection with you. I cannot
think of her except as a mother and Bharatha as a brother.”
Dasaratha at once replied, “Bharatha is different. He has
proved his greatness. Yes, I will accept him. But Kaikeyi—
she ruined us all. She prevented your being crowned at the
last moment. I can never forgive her.”
Rama explained, “It was not her mistake. I committed an
unforgivable blunder in straightway accepting the kingship
when you offered it, without pausing to consider the
consequences. I should have had more forethought. It was
not her mistake.” Rama continued his plea for Kaikeyi so
earnestly that Dasaratha finally acceded to it. A burden was