Continued:

“So what do you have in mind for them? Are they going to stay in the palace all their lives?”

“They are my sons. That’s all. I don’t want them to put their life at risk when my armies are there to fight for every sage and king on earth”

“So your armies will fight. They will fight for their livelihood and get killed so that your sons will live in palaces, perform sacrifices, get married, perpetuate the dynasty, pass on the kingdom to their heirs and die?”

“My sons will live long; my Rama will live long, unless you think otherwise for him.”

The last sentence inflamed her.

“Why do you harbor that feeling always?”

“Because you have never loved any of them. You never loved Bharat either. Otherwise you would not have insisted on sending him to your father in spite of my express disinclination.”

Kaikeyi was speechless.

As Dashratha watched for further signs of inflammation, she stormed out of the room.

Dasgratha decided to let her alone. He decided to hold conference with his ministers. He wanted his sons to have the best of life and he was sure his ministers wished so too.