Summary

Part Two: Chapter Eight starts as Kaikeyi says many blame Manthara for Kaikeyi's actions. However, she says her decisions were her own, but Manthara helped her save the king and Kosala.

As Kaikeyi arrives in Ayodhya, she finds it and the palace beautiful. It makes her happy, especially when compared to her old, foreboding home. She remembers the story of Manu who meets a small and scared fish named Matsya. Manu protected Matsya until it was bigger, and Matsya told Manu to build a boat. Once he did and boarded it with his family, a flood destroyed everything else. Matsya, revealed to be an avatar of Vishnu, rewarded Manu's kindness, and the man founded Ayodhya. Dasharath leads Kaikeyi to her chambers, but she cannot decide if he is nervous or impatient. As he leaves, Manthara says he has done well and...