Which Ramayana character did you view differently as a child and as an adult? Kekayi.

 

Which Ramayana character did you view differently as a child and as an adult?

Kekayi.

Now as a child I viewed her as the victim of circumstances who fell for the trap. She harboured no ill intention towards anyone.

Now , I watched Ramayan as adult and Kaikeyi was more dark and evil then we know.

She made her husband beg and cry . A husband who always loved her . Her husband died of grief . Does that affect Kaikeyi ? Nopes .

She happily welcomed her son who was shocked by his father’s sudden death . She was even preparing him for coronation ceremony. It was only after her son rebuked and renounced her , that she started grieving . Her guilt started catching up after that only .

This was shocking. You can be brainwashed up to a point where you don’t want to see your beloved step-son succeed. But not even bothered by your husband’s death ? It’s beyond comprehension.

So curiously I started reading Valmiki Ramayan. My Sanskrit isn’t really good so took time. Turns out Kaikeyi as a character never harboured any ill will for her step sons but was slightly jealous of other queens. Also among all three she was most stubborn, least wise. So no wonder when Manthra put the point on her ego as the beloved queen , she took such a drastic step. If we read Valmiki this was the most likely thing kaikey would do.

So I stopped seeing her as someone influenced by evil Manthra . Rather there was a darkness in her heart and Manthra stroked her . Manthra would’ve failed in front of likes of Sumitra who was the wisest and most noble queen .

Edit :

Since many people have questioned my understanding of Ramayan . Here are some more things which makes Kekayi look really messed up and really stupid .

No 1. Not caring for Sumitra

Shatrughan followed Bharat . Sumitra never stopped him . Kekayi didn’t even think once how Sumitra will feel when Laxman too was leaving with Ram.

No 2. Not even stopping Sita

This was most messed up thing . Sita like a dutiful wife who insisted on going with Ram. Sita was a princess and had no role in politics. Not even once it occurred to kekayi what exactly she is doing with her husband. Like not even having mercy on poor Sita who had lived all her life in palace . She looked so ice cold character during this .

No 3. Pain of Urmila .

It’s a personal opinion but before the kidnapping of Sita , Urmila was having it worse. She could not go with her husband and had to bear the pain of separation. Not only husband ,her sister was gone too.

No 3. Trouble for Bharat

This is where I find Kekayi to be extremely stupid and stubborn. Before asking boon she didn’t even think whether Bharat will even want it . Advisors , gurus try to put some sense but she brushes it off. Whole kingdom comes in support of Rama and she ignores it . Like what the hell ? Anyone wise would know Bharat never will have support in Ayodhya as a king . Now poor Bharat returns to only find his father is dead , his beloved brothers in exile and he’s now unnecessarily hated . All because of his mother.

Edit 1: Woah so many upvotes. This answer really blew up. Maybe because this answer gives different perspective. Thanks for sharing and upvotes

Edit 2: Ok some common questions and arguments in comments.

1. You are basing your answer on TV serial

Ans: Nopes . TV serial triggered this thinking . Point to be noted is TV series is heavily based on Ramcharitmanas itself . I did my own reading from Valmiki Ramayan. TV series actually toned it down.

2. It’s Saraswati doing!!

Naa. It’s a common story where it’s said Saraswati sat on tongue of Manthra . This was propagated by Ramcharitmanas. Valmiki Ramayan mention no such things.

3. It’s part of Niyati and greater good

Yes but Ravan was too part of that Niyati . Why only kekayi was choosen to do such act? Sumitra would not have done such things? Kekayi wasn’t that smart and is really stubborn character.