Being consoled thus by Rama, Maithili, the daughter of Janaka, tearing
separation, lovingly and haughtily laughed at Raghava of spacious
breast, and spoke unto him, her husband, the following words with a view
to follow him to the forest. "What thought of thee, O Rama, my father,
the king of Mithila, accepting thee as his son-in-law, who was a man in
form but (in deeds) a woman? Henceforth if people through ignorance say
that the sun has not that burning flood of light which in Rama does
shine forth, woe is them, it is falsehood. Why art thou so dejected and
whence is thy fear that thou art willing to leave behind thy wife who
has none else but thee? Know me to be perfectly under thy influence like
unto _Savitri_, following her husband _Satvavan_, the son of _Dumat
Sen_. I have not, like one bringing stigma on her line, ever in my life
thought of a second person, but of thee whom I must follow into the
forest. Dost thou, like unto an ordinary actor, wish to hand me over to
others, who am chaste, pure as a virgin, and long held in conjugal
affection? O sinless one, do thou become subservient and serviceable to
him whose pleasure thou biddst me seek, and for whom thou hast suffered
thyself to be impeded (in the installation). It does not behove thee to
repair unto the forest without taking me along with thee. Be it the
austerity of an ascetic, the forest or heaven, with thee will I be
everywhere. No toil shall I suffer on the way, as if lying on a bed of
luxury, while following thee in thy footstep. When with thee, the
various thorny grasses, the _Kusa_, the _Kasa_, the _Sara_, and the
_Ishika_, and the thistles and brambles on the way, shall be unto me in
touch like unto linen and deer-skin. The dust that will cover me, thrown
up by the gush of wind, shall be, O ravisher of my heart, regarded by me
as the finest sandal dust. When I shall lie down on the bed of green
grass in the forest, it shall appear to me more pleasant than one
covered with a colored blanket. Fruits, roots and leaves which thou wilt
bring thyself and give me, be they great or small in quantity, shall be
to me like unto the ambrosia-juice. I shall never think of my father,
mother, or my abode; I shall enjoy fruits and flowers growing in various
seasons. Thou shalt not witness any thing disagreeable there; for me
thou shalt not experience any sorrow,nor shall I be a burden unto thee;
do thou take me with thee, O Rama, conceiving with pleasure that thy
company is a heaven unto me and thy absence a hell. If thou dost not
take me unto the forest which I count freed from all evils, surely I
shall drink poison and never come under the influence of my enemies.
When through affliction I shall not live after separation, better it is,
O Lord, that I die immediately at the time of my being forsaken by thee;
I cannot bear this grief even for a moment. How shall I be able to live
without thee for fourteen years?"
Thus lamenting, Sita, racked with sorrow, embraced her husband and began
to cry aloud. Like unto a she- elephant,she being pierced by the
poisonous shafts of Rama's words, began to shed tears, long kept off, as
an _Arani_ wood emits fire continually. Tears caused by her sorrow and
white as the crystal began to trickle down from her eyes, like unto
water falling in drops from lotus petals. And that beautiful face having
expansive eyes and resembling the full moon in its splendour, with tears
became pale and parched, like unto a lotus taken out of its watery bed.
Finding her almost insensible with sorrow, Rama flung his arms round her
and reviving her (with consolation) spoke the following words unto her;
"I do not long for, O worshipful one, even the abode of celestials
gained through thy affliction: fear there is none for me like unto the
self-create Brahma. Not apprised of thy full intention, O thou of
beautiful countenance, I could not, though capable of escorting thee,
desire thy abode in the forest. When thou art determined O Maithili, to
repair unto the forest with me, I cannot leave thee behind, as one
possessing self knowledge cannot renounce munificence. O thou, having
thighs resembling the trunks of an elephant, I shall resort to that
virtue which was exercised by great and good men going before; do thou
follow me therefore like Suvarchala following the Sun. I cannot but go
unto the forest, O daughter of Janaka, the truthful word of my father
leads me thereto. Obedience unto his parents is the virtue of a son.
Disobeying the command of my father I am not eager to live. Why should
we with meditations and adorations worship Destiny, which is not
cognizable to the worshippers, neglecting our parents, who are ever
present to our senses? In the worship of the parents are fulfilled the
triple object of religious pursuit, and the adoration of the three
regions; there is nothing equal to it, conducing to purity; so do I, O
thou of excellent look, resort to it.
Truth, almsgiving, honor, and sacrifices with profuse gifts are not so
strengthening (in the life to come) as the services rendered unlo the
parents. Heaven, wealth, grains, learning, son, and happiness,--nothing
remains inaccessible unto us. Great souls following the desires, and
resorting to the service of their parents, get at the abodes of
celestials, Gandharvas, the seats of Brahma and Vishnu, and other
excellent regions. Therefore do I desire to follow what my father
commands me, treading in the path of truth,-- and this is the virtue
eternal. My resolution of not taking thee, Sita, unto the forest of
Dandaka is now rent asunder, as thou hast prepared thyself to live in
the forest and follow me. Permitted by me, O fair one of exquisite
beauty, to repair unto the forest, do thou follow me, O thou timid one,
and the partner of my righteousness. Thy determination to follow me, O
beautiful one, is very excellent and is in perfect keeping with myself
and my family. Do thou address thyself to repairing unto the forest, for
without this now even heaven itself does not please me. Do thou give
away jewels unto the Brahmanas and edibles unto the beggars longing for
them, and make haste without delay. Confer upon the Brahmanas, valuable
ornaments, excellent clothes, pleasant toys, beds, conveyances and other
fine things in thy possession and then what remains do thou distribute
amongst the servants." Convinced that her going to the forest was
desired by her husband, Sita began to distribute them speedily with a
delighted heart.