As that best of ladies, Kaucalya, was thus lamenting, Sumitra ever
abiding in virtue, spake unto her these words consistent with
righteousness,--"O worshipful one, your son is crowned with all
qualities,--and is the best of men. Why then do you bewail thus, or weep
bitterly? Since, O revered one, renouncing the kingdom, your mighty son
wendeth (to the woods) with the view of fulfiling the intention of his
high- souled and truthful sire, the worthy Rama staying in the duty that
is completely observed by the good and the performance of which always
bringeth welfare in the next world, should by no means be lamented. And
that sinless one, Lakshmana, kind unto all creatures, will minister unto
Rama in the best way possible,--and this is to the advantage of that
high-souled one, And experiencing the hardships that come of living in
the forest, Vaidehi deserving of happiness follows your righteous son.
And what is wanting unto that maintainer of all, your son of subdued
senses, intent upon truth and the observance of vows, who is spreading
his banner of fame over the world? Acquainted with Rama's manifest
purity and high magnanimity, the Sun himself will not dare burn his body
with his rays. And issuing from the woods at all hours, the delicious
air impregnated with heat and cold will serve Raghava. And when he will
lie down at night, the Moon touching him with his beams and embracing
him even like his own father, will gladden his heart. That hero of
mighty energy on whom Brahma had conferred celestial weapons, seeing
that foremost of the Danavas, the son of Timidhwaja, slain in
battle,--that tiger-like one, relying on the native strength of his
arms, will fearlessly abide in the forest as if in his own home. And why
should not the earth remain in the sway of him coming within the range
of whose arms enemies find destruction? Considering Rama's grace,
heroism and auspiciousness, (there cannot be any doubt that) returning
from the forest, he will speedily regain his own kingdom. He is the sun
of the sun, the lord of the lord,--he is the auspiciousness of prime
auspiciousness, the fame of fame, the forbearance of forbearance, the
god of the gods,-- and the foremost of creatures. What evil qualities, O
noble lady, will be perceived in him, whether he remains in the city or
in the forest? And that best of men, Rama, will soon be installed in the
kingdom, in company with these three-- the Earth, Vaidehi, and the
goddess of victory. Although overwhelmed with grief, the people of
Ayodhya, seeing that noble unvanquished one retiring to the woods clad
in Kuca and bark, are shedding tears begot of sorrow; yet accompanied by
that Lakshmi, what is there that is incapable of being attained by him?
And what is there that is incapable of being obtained by him before whom
goeth that foremost of bowmen himself bearing arrows, swords and other
weapons? You will again see him returned from the forest. O exalted one,
chase your grief and sadness, I tell you this truly. O blameless one,
you will again, O auspicious lady, see your son, like onto the new-risen
moon, paying homage unto your feet with his head. And again seeing him
returned and crowned with great auspiciousness, you will speedily shed
the dew of delight. O noble lady, do not grieve or lament. Evil cannot
touch Rama. You will soon behold your son along with Siti and Lakshmana.
O sinless one, it is for you to console these people. Why then, O
revered one, do you suffer your heart to be thus overpowered? O eminent
one, you ought not to bewail, inasmuch as Raghava is your son. In this
world there is not another residing in honesty that is superior to Rama.
Beholding your son surrounded by his friends, bowing unto you, you will
soon shed blissful tears, even like a rain-cloud. And soon will your son
conferring boons, returning (to this place), press your feet with those
soft and plump hands of his. And even as a chain of clouds speaks unto a
hill, you will speak onto worshipful and heroic son, surrounded by his
friends, bowing unto you." Having thus addressed Rama's mother and
inspired her with hope in various words, the noble pleasant and
blameless Sumitra, clever in speech, paused. Hearing those words of
Lakshmana's mother, that wife of the best of men, Rama's mother, had her
sorrow destroyed in her person, even like an autumnal cloud surcharged
with slight rain.