Summary

Part Four, Chapter 30 opens as Kaikeyi is concerned about the note from Dasharath praising her success. They rush home and Dasharath announces that he is abdicating the throne to Rama. Kaikeyi is horrified to see that her bond with him is half its size and Dasharath seems unaware of the dangers she faced in Janasthana. Lakshmana thinks Rama is responsible as Kaikeyi rushes to her chambers.

Kaikeyi is relieved that her bond with Asha and Manthara is still intact. Sita arrives, saying she is not ready to be radnyi. She did all she could on the women's council, but Rama treats her the same and never confides in her. When Kaikeyi tries to reassure her, Sita says Rama often talks about how easy it is to convince people to do what he wants: a power like Kaikeyi's. Sita and Kaikeyi both...