Kaikayee is perhaps the most unpopular character in the epic Ramayana, who was responsible for the exile of Rama. So it is but natural that she was considered as a sinner, disgraceful, the destroyer of the Suryavansha etc.

But this is not entirely true because if the cause for Shri Rama's exile is excluded from the Ramayana, then Kaikayee's character achieves such a greatness that no other female character can be compared to her and it will be absolutely clear that, Kaikayee stands proudly apart from the other devotees.

Kaikayee was the daughter of Kaikaya and the wife of the Ayodhya king Dashrath. She was not only the most beautiful but also the most faithful to her husband. Merits like intelligence, simplicity, fearlessness, kindness abounded in her personality. With her love, dedication and dutifulness, she had influenced Dashrath to such an extent that he had begun to her as the most loved and favourite among all his three queens. Kaikayee loved Dashrath so much that she was ready to do anything for him.

Once, king Dashrath had gone to fight the demon Shambarasura, to assist the deities. Kaikayee too had gone along with him. Her object was to serve and help her husband during the battle and not to seek pleasure and enjoyment from her husband.

Her bravery, love and dedication for her husband was proved once again when the actual charioteer was killed, Kaikayee took over the reins and acting as a charioteer, she saved Dashrath's life with her bravery and presence of mind.

In the same battle, the chariot's wheel came out of its axis and unaware of this development, Dashrath was busy fighting. But Kaikayee noticed it and maintained the chariot's balance by putting her hand in the axis' hole in which a nail is inserted and which keeps the chariot's wheel from falling apart.

She thus saved Dashrath's life by her brave and courageous action, inspite of unbearable pain. After defeating his enemies, Dashrath came to know about this incidence. He was astonished and very much impressed to hear that he was alive only due to her and his heart was filled with the sense of indebtedness.

Even after committing such a brave act, Kaikayee did not become arrogant and proud as she felt that in the prevailing situation, she only did her duty, which she should have done.

But Dashrath wanted to bless her with boons but Kaikayee wanted nothing more than his love. But Dashrath filled by the sense of indebtedness towards her was adamant and when he kept on insisting for that, Kaikayee had no other option but to concede to his demands of accepting at least two boons. Then, just to avoid the insistence of Dashrath, she asked for two boons, but only when the right time came.

It is said that, Dashrath had promised Kaikayee that only her child would be crowned as his successor. But being a strict follower of the Raghukula traditions and because of his excessive love and affection for his eldest son, Shri Ram, he decided to make him as his successor. Anyhow it is only a legend and hearsay and is not mentioned in Valmiki's Ramayana.

Bharat and Shatrughana had gone to their maternal grandparent's home and here in Ayodhya the preparations were going on for crowning Shri Rama as the king. The crowning ceremony was being organized in such haste because it was Vashishta's advice and insistence that the crowning ceremony of Shri Rama should be held as early as possible. So, the next morning was fixed for it and because of the shortage of time, Dashrath was unable even to invite his father-in-law for that occasion and he could not inform Bharat and Shatrughana.

When Manthara, Kaikayee's maid servant informed her about this, Kaikayee was so happy that she tried to give her a necklace saying: "O Manthara, the news which you have brought cannot express my joy. I wonder what should I give you as a reward for this auspicious news. There is nothing, which could give me more pleasure and happiness than the news of Rama becoming the king. You ask for anything and I promise, it will be fulfilled.

Hearing this, Manthara threw the necklace down and tried her best to convince Kaikayee that she should not allow Rama to become the king of Ayodhya. But Kaikayee was unmoved and told her that: "Since Rama is religious, full of merits, has his senses under his control, is truthful and pious and also being the eldest son, only he has the right to become the king of Ayodhya according to the traditions of Raghukula. Why are you so unhappy when the fact is well known that Shri Rama will look after his subjects and younger brothers, just like a father looks after his son? This is a time of awakening. Why are you jealous?"

Continuing she said: "Rama is dearer to me than my son Bharat, because he is eveready at my service than he is for Kaushalya. One must understand that for me Rama's crowning is same as that of Bharat's because Rama loves all his brothers very much. So, please ask for anything in lieu of this auspicious news which you have brought".

But when Manthara kept on condemning Dashrath and Rama, then it became too much for Kaikayee to bear. She said angrily: "O sinner, Manthara, if you keep on saying evil words against Rama, I will cut your tongue".

So Kaikayee's unbounded love for Shri Rama was beyond description. Then why Manthara ultimately succeeded in her attempts? There is a great secret behind this. Kaikayee knew very well that Shri Rama was an embodiment of God. She also knew that her job was to assist Rama in his 'Leelas' and divine actions. Therefore, even though she did not desire for Rama's exile, she ultimately agreed for it.

Had this phenomenon not happened then how would Ravana have been killed? And how would the works of sages and the deities have been accomplished? Neither Sita would have been abducted nor Ravana would have died along with his whole race.

The purpose of Rama's incarnation coming into existence was only to annihilate the evil and the evil doers and to assist the cause of virtuousness.

Even Ravana's killing was for his benediction, a fact which even Ravana himself knew.

In Ramcharitamanas, Tulsidas has mentioned that goddess Saraswati had herself ridden Manthara's tongue to influence Kaikayee's mind. As a result of which she ultimately agreed to Manthara's suggestions and the inspiration was given to goddess Saraswati by Lord Rama himself.

Now a question arises why only Kaikayee was chosen for the accomplishment of this job? Why not anybody else? After all, Kaikayee was a great devotee of Shri Rama and she had great love and affection for Him. Why was only she chosen for which she was condemned by one and all and even after passing of immemorable time, she is still condemned. There is a great secret behind this too. Shri Rama knew very well that Kaikayee was the most unparallel devotee and Shri Rama, being an incarnation of God, selected Kaikayee only for this reason. Rama knew that the nature of the task was very tough and only Kaikayee could accomplish that task.

Kaikayee being aware of Rama's existence in this world was just assisting Him to accomplish that task. She was not afraid of the condemnation, accusation and the curse which she knew would unfailingly and inevitably come. She was only assisting in the Almighty's work. She was only concerned with Shri Rama and had played her part quite remarkably.

Kaikayee could not meet Rama at the time of his departure because she could not get an opportunity to meet Him when He was alone. But how could she live without meeting Him. So, she went to Chitrakoot along with Bharat to meet Him and to seek His pardon. But, consoling her Shri Rama said that she should not feel guilty as He alone was responsible for her action and also that she was only chosen as the means for the accomplishment of that task. "So do not feel guilty, immerse yourself in my thoughts and you will achieve liberation."

Bharat too tried his best to change Rama's mind and asked Him to return to Ayodhya but when Bharat failed to convince him, he signaled Vashishta to convince Rama and then Vashishta unfolded all the secrets of the purpose of Rama's exile. He also said to him that Rama was an embodiment of God, and Sita was none other than 'Yogamaya' Shakti, Lakshman was the incarnation of Sheshahnaag and the purpose of going into exile was to kill the demon king Ravana. So, by saying those 'seemingly' harsh words and committing those 'seemingly' harsh actions, Kaikayee only did what she had been inspired by the Almighty to do.