Thus addressed by Anasuya, Vaidehi devoid of malice, honoring her words,
began, "That thou shouldst instruct me is no wonder in thee. I know that
a woman's spiritual guide is her husband. Even if a husband should be
poor and of a disreputable character, he should be ungrudgingly obeyed
by the like of me. And to be said of one that is crowned with qualities,
kind, self-controlled, of steady affection, righteous-souled, and who is
dear as a father or a mother? The exceedingly strong Rama beareth
himself towards the other wives of the monarch as he doth towards
Kaucalya herself. Renouncing sense of self-importance, that heroic one
conversant with righteousness, devoted to his king, regardeth as his
mothers those on whom the monarch once cast his eyes. What my
mother-in-law instructed me at the time that I was leaving for the
lonely and fearful forest, is constantly present in my mind. And what
also my mother taught me in presence of fire on the occasion of the
bestowal of my hand, is also remembered by me. And, O thou engaged in
acts of righteousness, I have not forgotten the words that my relatives
said unto me, viz, the asceticism of a woman is ministering unto her
husband. They did not teach any thing else. Having served her lord,
Savitri is highly honored in heaven; and thou also, following the same
course, by virtue of having served thy husband, hath secured heaven. And
this foremost of females, this goddess of heaven, Rohini, is not seen
for a moment without the moon. And prime women of this sort, firm in
their husbands, are highly respected in the celestial regions by virtue
of their pious acts." Hearing Sita's words, Anasuya, exceedingly
delighted, smelling her head, spoke thus, pleasing Maithili, "By
observing restrictions, I have earned great asceticism. By resorting to
that energy, I would, O Sita, confer a boon upon thee, O thou of pure
vows. O Maithili, thy words are just and proper. I am well pleased (with
thee). Tell me, O Sita, what good shall I do thee?" Hearing her words,
Sita, surprized, said with a smile, unto that lady equipped with ascetic
strength, "All this hath been done by thee." Thus accosted, that one
cognizant of virtue, was still more pleased, and said, "I am exceedingly
pleased (with thy words). I will attain a desire of mine. This noble and
grand garland, this apparel, these ornaments, and this precious paste
for adorning the person, presented by me-- let these, O Sita, grace thy
person. These, worthy of thee will never be tarnished. O daughter of
Janaka, daubing thy person with this excellent paint, thou wilt grace
thy husband even as Sree doth the undeteriorating Vishnu." Thereupon
Mithila's daughter accepted those things presented unto her out of love,
viz., the apparel, the paint, the ornaments and the garland. Having
accepted those presents conferred on her from love, that illustrious
one, Sita, quietly sat beside the female ascetic with joined hands. Then
as Sita was sitting, Anasuya firm in vow asked her concerning a thing
that was near her heart, saying, "I have heard, O Sita, that thou wert
won by the renowned Raghava on the occasion of a self-choice. O
Maithili, that story I should like to hear, related at length. It
therefore behoves thee to relate that unto me in detail." Thus
addressed, Sita, saying unto the ascetic engaged in pious acts,
"Listen!" began to tell the story. "Mithila's lord, the heroic Janaka,
justly ruleth the earth, engaged in observing the duties of Kshatriyas.
As he was ploughing a plain intended for a sacrifice, I rose from under
the earth; and (in this sense) I am the daughter of that king. Tending
me, with my body covered with dust, Janaka, engaged in throwing handfuls
of dust (to level hollow spots), was struck with amazement. Being
childless, he took me on his lap from affection, and saying--'This is my
daughter', conceived affection for me. Then there were uttered words in
the welkin, resembling those of a human being,--'O king, in all
righteousness, this is thy daughter.' Then well-pleased, my righteous
father,the king, lord of Mithila, receiving me, attained mighty good
fortune. Consigned unto the pious eldest noble one (queen), desirous of
having offspring, I was brought up by that mild lady, with the
tenderness of a mother. (In time) seeing me fit for the company of a
husband, my father in distress was plunged in thought, like a poor man
that hath lost his wealth. Even if the father of a girl be like unto
Sakra himself on earth, he reapeth odium at the hands of his equals and
inferiors. Perceiving this obloquy at a short distance, the king was
plunged in a sea of anxiety, but could not cross it, like one that hath
no raft. Knowing me as unborn from any female vessel, the lord of earth
reflecting upon it, could not come upon a suitable and fit husband for
me. Then as he reflected, this thought occurred to him 'I will
righteously celebrate the self-choice of my daughters'. In the great
sacrifice of Daksha, the high-souled Varuna had well-pleased conferred
on Devarata an excellent bow with inexhaustible arrows and a couple of
quivers. Incapable of being moved on account of its weight, the kings
could not even dream of bending the bow. Having obtained the bow, my
truthful father said, 'No fear!' inviting at the same time the kings to
an assembly of sovereigns. 'He that, raising the bow, shall string it,
shall doubtless receive my daughter for his wife.' Seeing that best of
bows in weight resembling a hill, the kings saluting it, go away, unable
to move it. And it came to pass that after a long time, this highly
effulgent Raghava came to witness the sacrifice in company with
Vicwamitra. And Rama having truth for his prowess, and the righteous
Vicwamitra were respectfully received by my sire. Then Vicwamitra said
unto my father, 'The descendants of Raghu, sons of Dacaratha, Rama and
Lakshmana, are anxious to behold the bow.' Thus accosted by the Vipra,
my father brought the bow, and showed that celestial bow unto the
princes. Thereupon, in the twinkling of an eye, bending it, the powerful
(Raghava) stringed the bow and drew it. And is he drew it vehemently, it
broke in the middle in twain. And the sound of it was dreadful like unto
the bursting of a thunder-bolt. Then raising an excellent vessel of
water, my truthful father prepared to bestow me on Raghava. And bestowed
on Raghava, I was accepted of him, after he had consulted the wish of
his father, that lord, the master of Ayodhya. And inviting my
father-in-law, the old king Dacaratha, my father bestowed me on Rama,
having a knowledge of self. And my father bestowed on Lakshmana for his
wife, my younger sister, the beauteous and chaste Urmila. Thus was I
bestowed on Rama on the occasion of that self-choice. And ever since I
have been devoted unto my husband, the foremost of those possessing
prowess."
Having heard this grand story, Anasuya cognizant of righteousness,
smelling the head of Mithila's daughter, embraced Sita with her arms. "I
have heard all that thou, describing the self-choice, hast spoken
sweetly and beautifully in articulated letters and feet. O
sweet-speeched one, I have been delighted with thy narration. But
ushering in the auspicious night, the graceful Sun hath set. And there
are heard the notes of feathered ones, which, after having gone about in
search of food are resting now for the purpose of sleeping. And these
ascetics having bathed, are wending their way in a body, carrying
water-pitchers, their barks drenched with water. And the smoke arising
from the fire-sacrifice duly performed by the ascetics,--reddish like
the hue of the pigeon's neck, is seen, wafted by the wind. And trees of
spare foliage appear dense (on all sides); and distance is no longer
perceptible. And animals ranging in the night are going about all round;
and those deer of the asylum are reposing on the daises. O Sita, the
night crested by the stars hath arrived; and, veiled in moonlight,
appeareth the moon in the heavens. Go thou; I permit thee. Do thou seek
the society of Rama. I have been pleased with thy sweet converse. And, O
daughter of Mithila, do thou deck thyself before me. Do thou thus please
me, my child, thou that lookest beautiful with excellent ornaments."
Thereat, having adorned herself, Sita, resembling the daughter of a
celestial, bowing down to the feet (of the female ascetic), directed her
steps towards Rama. And that best of speakers, Raghava, saw Sita, decked
with the ornaments affectionately presented by the ascetic; and he
rejoiced thereat. Then Mithila's daughter, Sita, related unto Rama all
about her having been affectionately presented by the ascetic with
attire, ornaments and the garland. Thereupon, witnessing the honor that
had been accorded unto Maithili,-- rare among men, Rama became well
pleased,--as also that mighty car-warrior, Lakshmana. Then Raghu's son,
ministered unto by the ascetic, happily spent the delightful night
there, with her face resembling the moon. On the night having passed
away, those foremost of men, after performing their ablutions, enquired
of the ascetics performing fire-sacrifices, who lived in the forest.
Thereat the righteous ascetics ranging the forest said that all the
sides of the forest were infested by Rakshasas. "Ferocious beasts
feasting on blood, and Rakshasas, O Raghava, living on human
beings,--wearing various shapes, abide in this mighty forest. These eat
up ascetics leading the Brahmacharya mode of life, who happen to be
unclean or heedless. Do thou, therefore, O Raghava, let them. This is
the path of the Maharshis, who procure fruits in the forest. By this way
thou wilt be able to enter the impracticable wild, O Raghava." Thus
addressed by the ascetic twice-born ones, and having been blessed by
them, that repressor of foes, Raghava, entered the forest in company
with his wife and Lakshmana, like the sun entering a mass of clouds.
End of Ayodhyakandam.