Hearing the ruthless words of Lakshmana, the daughter of Janaka, greatly
sorry, fell down on earth. And remaining senseless for some time, Sitā,
with her eyes full of tears said to Lakshmana:—"Forsooth, O Lakshmana,
the great Dispenser hath created this body to suffer miseries; and all
my afflictions are manifest in form to-day. Methinks; I committed a
mighty iniquity in my pristine existence or brought about separation
between a husband and wife and for that Rāma hath renounced me albeit I
am pure and chaste. O son of Sumitrā, the affliction of residing in the
forest appeared to me as pleasure ere this for I knew that I would be
able to serve Rāma’s feet. But how shall I, O gentle one, live in the
hermitage being divorced from all my kith and kin? And being afflicted
to whom shall I express my sorrow? What reply shall I offer unto the
ascetics when they shall ask me ’Child; why hath the high-souled Rāghava
renounced thee? What sin hast thou committed?’ O Saumitri, shall I just
renounce my life in the waters of Jāhnavi? But I desist from this for it
shall bring about the termination of my husband’s race. O Saumitri, do
thou carry out the orders thou hast received. By renouncing this
wretched wight do thou satisfy the King’s orders. But hear, what I say.
Without making any distinction, do thou, in my name, with folded hands,
bow unto my mothers-in-law and then ask the well-being of the kingdom.
Thereupon saluting the pious King do thou address him, in my name,
saying:—’Thou knowest, O Rāghava, that Sitā is pure, ever devoted unto
thee and engaged in thy well-being. She knows it full well, that afraid
of a bad name thou hast renounced her. It is her duty to put a stop to
thy ill-name and censure; for thou art her excellent refuge.’ Do thou
tell further-more that king established in righteousness to treat the
citizens as his brothers, to acquire piety by protecting his subjects
duly—for this is the greatest morality and by this may be acquired
excellent fame. Tell him that I am not sorry for my person—my greatest
sorrow is that the citizens have vilified me. Husband is a woman’s
god—her friend and spiritual guide. It is proper therefore to work out
husband’s well-being even at the sacrifice of life. Do thou, O
Lakshmana, communicate it in short unto Rāma, in my name; Do thou go now
and behold the signs of pregnancy are manifest in me." Sitā having said
this, Lakshmana, with a bewildered heart, saluted her touching the
ground with his head, he could not speak more. Thereupon bewailing aloud
and circumambulating her, he, meditating a little, said. "What art thou
speaking unto me, O worshipful dame? O thou having no sin, up to this
time I have not seen any portion of thy beautiful person but feet. This
is a solitary forest and besides the worshipful Rāma, is not present
here—under these circumstances how can I cast looks upon thee?" Having
addressed Sitā in this wise Lakshmana again sent for a boat and
ascending it ordered the boatmen to go. Thereupon having reached the
other side and being beside himself with sorrow and grief he speedily
ascended the car. And casting his looks behind while proceeding he
espied that Sitā, on the other side of the Ganges, was roving wildly
like one having none to look after her. Looking again and again when
Sitā saw that Lakshmana and the chariot have gone beyond the range of
her vision, she became overwhelmed with anxiety and grief. Being sunk in
grief and pressed down with the weight of sorrow on not beholding Rāma,
the foremost of the illustrious, the chaste Sitā began to cry aloud in
the forest resounded with the notes of peacocks.