In plain words
The two boons
During the war between the gods and the demons, the linchpin of Daśaratha's chariot wheel broke, and Kaika put her finger in its place and kept the wheel from coming off. Pleased with the help she gave, Daśaratha told her to ask for any two boons. Kaika said she had no wishes then, and would surely ask when the need arose. Daśaratha promised that he would grant whatever she asked. Mantharā reminded Kaika of this event and said, “You can ask for them today, can't you!”
Delighted at Mantharā's cleverness, Kaika asked her to tell her which boons she should ask for at that time. Mindful of the law of those days, under which rights held good only for one who had held possession for more than twelve years, Mantharā told her to ask that Rāma be sent to the forest for fourteen years and that her son Bharata be crowned. “Kaika! Mahārāja Daśaratha is coming. Before he comes, go into the chamber of anger. Take off all your jewels, fling them about, and drop to the floor like a withered flowering creeper,” she said. Doing as she said, Kaika went into the chamber of anger.
Daśaratha came and asked, “Where is Kaika?” No one answered. At last Mantharā herself said, “Go in yourself, just once, and see.” Daśaratha went in, and at the sight he saw there he was seized with fear and dismay. All the jewels lay scattered about the floor. “Kaika! Why are you acting like this?” he said. There was no answer. “Today Rāma's coronation is to take place in the greatest splendour. This is a most joyful day in my life. On such an auspicious day it is not good for you to grieve like this. Ask for whatever you want. Be it beautiful mansions, be it golden jewels, whatever you want I will give,” he swore. Kaika said she wanted none of these. Slowly she made her wishes known. Hearing those wishes, Daśaratha fainted. Afterwards, when he came to: “Kaika!