Kamba Ramayana A study 07

Going back a little in Valmiki Ramayana, I see that Kausalya's fears may be legitimate. Palace politics are palapable. Manthara, Kaikeyi's maid noticed unusual activities from the balcony and asked a house maid, ..... 'Why is Kausalya giving away money to people so delightfully today in charity, even-though she is badly lured of money?'

Manthara not happy with the reason why, went to Kaikeyi... 'Your husband approaches you and talks good words, which are useless. But he passes on benefit today to Kausalya only....Kausalya is very fortunate. Brahmans are going to anoint her son for the great princely kingdom tomorrow .....With folded arms, as a maid-servant, you have to serve that Kausalya who having reached great prosperity, in the height of joy, will dispose of her adversaries (in the person of Bharata and yourself)......Thus, if you become Kausalya's servant-maid along with us, your son Bharata will be Rama's attendant.

Manthara, who could be named the most powerful maid ever, managed to change events by convincing Kaikeyi to stop Rama's coronation as the Yuvaraja.  And Rama after being given the bad news spoke to Lakshamana and Kausalya and later on to Sita. Lakshmana's reaction is noteworthy.

 Quoting Valmiki Ramayana:

Consoling Kausalya, Lakshmana said that he saw no reason for Rama to go the forests, forsaking the throne merely on an order passed by a woman. .....'I will not hesitate to capture him, nor will I hesitate to even slay him. If a father, who is also the guru, goes beyond the barriers of justice in his arrogance, he is punishable. What authorizes the king to bestow this realm on Kaikeyi, which is your inheritance? What gives him the courage to alienate and distance us, so as to crown Bharata?”

Lakshmana turned to mother Kausalya assuring her, “I pledge my allegiance to my brother in every way. Any forest or fires that Rama enters consider it done that I will enter it first. I will dispel your grief like the Sun dispels the dark of night.” Kausalya pleaded with Rama to act upon Lakshmana’s advice. “Can you leave me to the mercy of Kaikeyi, a woman so full of spite and malice? You speak of righteousness and that righteousness says a mother is as sacred to man as his father, and that both are his Gurus. Be righteous Rama! I command you not to go. Stay by my side and serve me. I cannot live without you! If you do not heed me, I shall fast unto death.”

Rama is unmoved by his mother's pleadings and holds fast to his decision. A decision he made after Kaikeyi told him about his father's promises to her.

I wonder whether it was possible for Dasharatha to call his council of ministers and the various sages who were around to guide him or give him a solution to a tricky situation? While he did consult them after he chose Rama, why did he not do it later?  The people around him saw the shell-shocked Dasharatha, but they just wrung their hands and let the king face all the music and practically kill himself!