How is Kaikeyi portrayed in The Ramayana?

• A. As a hero.
• B. As a villain.
• C. As a passive character.
• D. As a goddess.

Answer: (B)

Kaikeyi’s role in The Ramayana is that of a pivotal, morally fraught figure whose actions set the central conflict in motion. She uses two royal boons Dasharatha had granted her to demand Rama’s exile for fourteen years and Bharata’s coronation. Her motive is to secure her son Bharata’s future and power, driven by fears about Rama’s rule and political concerns rather than virtuous ideals. She acts decisively and manipulates the situation, making her a source of conflict in the story rather than a heroic figure. She is a mortal queen, not a goddess, and while some tellings explore her motivations with more nuance, the traditional portrayal treats her as an antagonist who destabilizes the rightful order. This portrayal highlights how personal ambition can clash with dharma and the consequences that follow.