Kaikeyi Quotes

“You did the right thing," Manthara told me. "No matter what is said about you, Kaikeyi, remember that you did the right thing. You are not wicked."
"Then why do I feel wicked?" I whispered.
"Because those who are good question themselves. Because those who are good always wonder if there was a better way, a way that could have helped more and hurt less. That feeling is why you are good.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“Because those who are good question themselves. Because those who are good always wonder if there was a better way, a way that could have helped more and hurt less. That feeling is why you are good.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“It is not weak to avoid war,” I said, and my voice broke. Tears pricked at my eyes, and I let them. “It is the strongest thing you could do, to avoid unnecessary bloodshed.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“If a woman crafted by the gods themselves could be consigned to this fate, what hope was there for a woman born of a woman?”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“I was born on the full moon under an auspicious constellation, the holiest of positions—much good it did me.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“It is admirable to seek out more knowledge, so long as you form your own opinions.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“The people of Bharat have often blamed my father for my sins, as if a woman cannot own her actions.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“I did not wish to bring a daughter into this world of men, into a world that would silence her thoughts before she could even speak them”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“Then why do I feel wicked?” I whispered. “Because those who are good question themselves. Because those who are good always wonder if there was a better way, a way that could have helped more and hurt less. That feeling is why you are good.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“The future could not be taught by the past.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“You’ve always needed me. But the truth is I’ve only ever had myself.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“He walked away, not even waiting for me as I stood there dumbfounded. No thanks for saving him at the stream or covering our disobedience, not even an apology for Father’s oversight. But then, this was the way of the world to Yudhajit. And standing there, I knew that I would never truly grow accustomed to”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“This again?” I demanded. “Did you know Sage Vamadeva cursed his innocent wife? Consigned her to a life as a stone statue?”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“a king with pure motives was at best inept and at worst injurious.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“I shook my head, unable to tell her what I had just done. Dasharath glanced at Kaushalya. “Long ago, I promised this treacherous woman that I would grant her two boons at any time. And now she has come to redeem them.” Treacherous? Kaushalya mouthed at me, baffled and even a bit amused.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“Do you find it so?” he asked. “Because I do not. My wife grew up among the ferocious Kekaya people. She has seven brothers. She can drive a chariot better than most men I’ve seen. That she can also throw a spear is not strange.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“How can you be fine with consigning me to life as nothing but a brood mare? You’re my brother, Yudhajit! You’re my brother.” I blinked back hot tears.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“I couldn’t sleep. I miss Mother. She did not even say goodbye to us. I—I don’t understand.” His voice twisted and broke, and I found myself fighting back tears as well.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“Kaikeyi, remember that you did the right thing. You are not wicked.” “Then why do I feel wicked?” I whispered. “Because those who are good question themselves. Because those who are good always wonder if there was a better way, a way that could have helped more and hurt less. That feeling is why you are good.” She too pressed a kiss to my forehead. “This will be terrible, but you are so strong. You can make it through.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“Ashvin acted nothing like how I would have behaved had I had the privilege of being a boy, but then again, most boys knew nothing of their incredible luck.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“Bharata had never experienced death before, I realized. None of my sons had. Not on the battlefield, not in the loss of the oldest generation of family. They had been blessed in many ways. “It is always sad when any life is lost. And especially because, even if you have never met him, he is your grandfather.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“Men were allowed to be more open with their desires, but I had of course heard women speak of the wanting that accompanied marriage. They had all made such desire seem like one of the most important parts of becoming husband and wife. But I lacked it. What did that make my marriage?”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“Women can be all of those things. Intelligence doesn’t make me less of a woman,”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“He sought my counsel, then discarded it when I did not say what he wished to hear. No words of mine would have made a difference.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“In some ways, he is very wise. I do not want you to think I hate him or find only fault with him. But even the people we love can be flawed, no?”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“In some ways, he is very wise. I do not want you to think I hate him or find only fault with him.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“I do not understand. If your temple is still fully attended, receiving faithful worshippers and donations, how does it harm you if women in this city have some small say in their lives?”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“I had wondered, in the weeks leading up to the birth, whether I would be a good mother. What if I was too strange, too warlike and rebellious for it?”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“Race you back?” he asked. “That’s not fair, I have to let you win. Nobody can catch me riding at such an unladylike speed.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi

“Your father is a noble?” I asked. She nodded. “Yes. But it is not his fault. After all, he did not decree that illegitimate daughters were unmarriageable.” She was right, of course. It was the sages who had made it so, for an illegitimate daughter was deeply inauspicious and impure—unmarriageable, a terrible curse for a woman. But of course the gods and sages had nothing to say about illegitimate sons, who were still able to quietly inherit both money and power.”
― Vaishnavi Patel, Kaikeyi