The princes were all waiting with a poorly heart when Rāma, with a dried
countenance, addressed them, saying:—"May good betide you—do not act
against my desire. Hear, what the citizens have been talking about me
and Sitā. The citizens as well as the inhabitants of provinces have been
showering censures upon me. I have been pierced to the very vitals by
those accusations. I have been born in the illustrious family of the
high-souled Ikshwākus. Sitā hath been born also in the holy family of
the great Janaka; gentle Lakshmana, thou knowest how in the solitary
forest of Dandaka, Sitā was stolen away by Rāvana and how have I slain
him. At that time even I was stricken with anxiety regarding Sitā that
how I could take her home since she had resided in the house of the
Rākshasas. To secure my confidence, Sitā, in your very presence, entered
fire. At that time, O Saumitri, fire, carrying sacrificial oblations and
the wind of the sky declared Sitā’s innocence before the celestials. In
the presence of all the Rishis and gods, the Sun and Moon announced the
innocence of the daughter of Janaka. Indra, the king of the celestials,
himself handed over the chaste Sitā unto me in the island of Lankā. My
mind knoweth Sitā as chaste for ever. So, at that time I came back to
Ayodhyā with Sitā. But now a great sorrow consequent upon the censure of
the citizens and villagers hath pierced my heart. He, who is notorious
on this earth and as long as that notoriety remains current, is classed
amongst the vile. Even the celestials speak ill of bad name—whereas fame
is adored in all the regions. Therefore the high-souled exert their best
to acquire reputation. O foremost of men, what to speak of the daughter
of Janaka—I can even renounce my life and yourselves in fear of a bad
name. Do ye therefore perceive into what great abyss of sorrow and
ill-fame I have fallen. Up to this time I have never experienced such a
mighty grief. Do thou, O Lakshmana, next morning, ascending the car
driven by Sumantra, take away Sitā to another country. There is a
picturesque hermitage of the high-souled Vālmiki situate on the Tamasā
on the Other side of the river Ganges. Do thou, O delight of Raghus,
soon come back, leaving behind Sitā in that lovely place; Do thou carry
out my words. Do thou not speak anything regarding Sitā’s banishment, O
Saumitri, if dost thou request me to desist from this, it shall be the
more unpleasant unto me. For my life and arms, do ye not proffer any
request unto me regarding this, If so, you shall only endanger my
well-being and I shall ever regard you as my enemies. If you obey my
behests, do ye honor my words now. Do ye take away Sitā from here. Ere
this Sitā had communicated her intention of beholding the hermitages of
ascetics on the banks of the Ganges. Let that desire of hers be now
satisfied." While saying this, the eyes of the virtuous-souled Rāma were
covered with tears. Sighing hard like unto an elephant, he, with a heart
stricken with grief, departed to his own quarter in the company of his
brothers.