Even as Śrī Rāma issued forth from the palace of Queen Kaikeyī, the inmates of the gynaeceum burst into a piteous wail, extolling the princeís virtues. Mother Kausalyā embraces and pronounces her benedictions on Śrī Rāma as the latter approaches her and falls at her feet. On being apprised of the circumstances that had brought him there, she falls to the ground overwhelmed with grief, and weeps bitterly expressing her deep sorrow.

Having agreed to leave for the forest, Śrī Rāma proceeds to take leave of his mother Kausalyā.

Questioned by Śrī Rāma as to what preyed on his father's mind, Kaikeyī tells him all that had happened in the meantime and sternly urges him to depart for the woods.

Śrī Rāma drives in state to his father’s gynaeceum, beholding en route the charms of Ayodhyā, hearing the blessings and encomia of his friends and relations and ravishing the eyes of all on-lookers, and on reaching his destination sends back his retinue and seeks the presence of his royal father alone.

Seeking the presence of Śrī Rāma, Sumantra communicates to him the Emperor’s command asking Sumantra to bring Rāma with him, and departs. Mounting his gold chariot and accompanied by Laksmana, who holds an umbrella over the formerís head and waves a pair of chowries in order to fan him, and followed by a number of elephants and horses, Śrī Rāma drives in state to see Daśaratha, listening en route to his own glory sung by jubilant men and women.

While going out of the gynaeceum to bring Śrī Rāma, Sumantra sees Vasistha and others as well as a number of kings waiting at the gate and hastens back to announce their presence to the king. He is, however, sent back to fetch Śrī Rāma and forthwith enters the latter's apartments.

Citing other instances of the Emperor’s fidelity to truth and threatening to lay down her life in the event of his not carrying out her wishes, Kaikeyī insists on his sending Śrī Rāma into exile at once and does not desist from her purpose even when railed at by her husband. In the meantime Sumantra makes his appearance in the gynaeceum and, extolling the Emperor, reminds him of his intention to install Śrī Rāma as Prince Regent and eventually leaves the gynaeceum in order to summon Śrī Rāmaa at the instance of the Emperor.

Further tormented by Kaikeyī through her importunity to have the boons granted by the Emperor implemented, the latter piteously wails his lot and reproaches her. The sun having set in the meanwhile, the Emperor continues till the following morning his solicitations to Kaikeyī to allow Rāma to be installed as Prince Regent. But, Kaikeyī remaining adamant, the king in his extreme anguish of mind sinks down unconscious on the floor and, on regaining his consciousness, stops all music pertaining to the occasion of the king’s quitting his bed.

Extolling the virtues of Śrī Rāma and showing him undeserving of exile, the Emperor endeavours to dissuade Kaikeyī from her pertinacity in sending Śrī Rāma into exile. Quoting the examples of Hariścandra and others, Kaikeyī, however, redoubles her insistence. The Emperor for his part rebukes her in harsh words and goes the length of falling at her feet in order to bring her round but in vain.

Egged on by Kaikeyī to grant her desire, Daśaratha gives his word of honour to her to that effect. Invoking the presence of gods as witnesses and reminding the Emperor of what took place during the conflict of gods and demons, Kaikeyī asks of him the two boons promised by him in the shape of exiling Śrī Rāma for a period of fourteen years and installing Bharata as Prince Regent.