"When the ascetics had gone away, Raghava reflected (as to his stay at
that place); and from diverse reasons, he did not relish remaining there
any further. "Here have I seen Bharata and my mother in company with the
citizens. Overwhelmed with grief on my account, they ever recur to my
memory. And in consequence of the troops of that high- souled one having
quartered here as well as the dung discharged by his elephants and
horses, this place has got exceedingly dirty. Therefore will I go to
another quarter." Having settled this in his mind, Raghava departed
along with Videha's daughter and Lakshmana. And having arrived at Atri's
asylum, that renowned one paid obeisance (unto the sage); and the
reverend Atri also on his part received Rama as a son. And having
personally given Rama respectful reception and entertainment, the
ascetic regarded the exalted Lakshmana and Sita with a gracious eye. And
his aged wife having come there, Atri greeted her; and after she had
been paid homage, the sage cognizant of virtue ever engaged in the good
of all creatures, gladdened her (by presenting Sita unto her.) And that
best of sages said unto the pious fetnale ascetic, Anasuya, engaged in
offices of virtue, "Do thou accept Videha's daughter." And Atri related
unto Rama matters connected with the female ascetic, engaged in offices
of virtue, "The people were ceaselessly burning in consequence of a
drouth extending over ten years. O sinless one, that one resembling thy
mother is this, by whom furnished with rigid asceticsim and adorned with
voluntary penances, were created fruits and roots and the Jahnavi was
made to flow through the asylum; by whom were performed mighty
austerities for ten thousand years,--in virtue of whose penances,
disturbances to the asceticism of the sages ceased,-- by whom ten nights
were brought within the compass of a single one. Let Vaidehi always
resort to this aged ascetic devoid of anger, who is worthy of being
bowed down to by all creatures." When the saint had spoken thus, Raghava
saying, "So be it," turned his eyes to Sita, and thus spoke unto that
one knowing morality, "O princess, thou hast heard what hath been
uttered by the ascetic. For the sake of thy own welfare, do thou
speedily resort to the female anchoret. Do thou without delay resort
unto the ascetic Anasuya, who is worthy of being associated with, and
who hath by virtue of her acts attained renown among men." Hearing these
words of Raghava, Mithila's daughter, the illustrious Sita, drew near
the righteous wife of Atri. Thereupon Sita, announcing her name, saluted
the pious and chaste Anasuya, old, with slackened joints, with folds all
over her skin, and her hair hoary from age, whose frame shook
perpetually, like a plantain-leaf in the wind. Having paid homage unto
that ascetic with her senses subdued, Vaidehi glad at heart, with joined
hands, enquired after her welfare. Seeing the virtuous Sita engaged in
righteous acts, the old lady consoling her, said "By luck it is that
thou regardest righteousness. O Sita, having left thy kindred, and
banishing pride, thou hast, O honored lady, followed Rama staying in the
woods. They that love their husbands, whether living in the city or the
forest, whether well or ill disposed towards them, attain great state.
Wicked, or libidinous, or indigent, a husband is a supreme deity unto a
wife of noble character. Than the husband a greater friend find I none,
O Vaidehi, who is worthy of being served both in this world and the
next, and who is like imperishable asceticism. But bad women whose
hearts hunger after carnality, and who lord over their husbands, do not
get acquainted with the virtues and demerits (of their husbands); and
range at their will. Mithila's daughter, surely women of this sort who
are given to doing evil acts, reap infamy and fall off from
righteousness. But worthy women like thee furnished with excellences,
see a superior and better world, and range the celestial regions, like
pious people. Therefore following this one, and adopting the course of
chaste women, do thou prove the associate in virtue of thy husband,--and
then shalt thou attain both fame and religious merit."