Beholding Sitā thus wailing, the sons of the Rishis there speedily
approached the great Vālmiki, well-established in asceticism. And
saluting him they all communicated unto him Sitā’s bewailings and said,
"O great sir, we do not know the wife of what great man, beautiful like
the very Lakshmi, and not seen before, is crying aloud very poorly? It
is better that thou shouldst see her once. That beautiful damsel, like a
goddess falling from heaven being bewildered, is waiting on the banks of
the river. We saw her alone crying aloud being overwhelmed with sorrow
and grief as if she had none to look after her. A damsel like her should
not be subject to such a condition. She did not appear to us to be a
woman. Do thou receive her duly. She is near the hermitage and so hath
come to seek thy shelter. O illustrious Sir, she is on the look out for
a protector—do thou protect her." The pious Vālmiki could perceive every
thing by virtue of his asceticism; and ascertaining the truth of the
words of the Rishi boys by the power of his understanding, he, with
quick steps, approached Sitā. And the disciples followed that
high-minded ascetic. Thereupon proceeding a little on foot with Arghya
in his hands, the wise Vālmiki reached the banks of the river and saw
that Rāghava’s spouse was bewailing like a helpless woman. Having
gladdened a little the aggrieved Sitā by virtue of his own effulgence
the great ascetic Vālmiki addressed her in following sweet accents. "O
chaste damsel, thou art the daughter-in-law of Daçaratha, the beloved
wife of Rāma and the daughter of Janaka; thy coming here is auspicious.
I am apprized, by virtue of asceticism and meditation, of the object of
thy coming here. O great lady, I am also fully aware that thou art by
all means chaste. In fact I am conscious of all the incidents in the
three worlds. By the eyes of asceticism, I perceive, O daughter of
Janaka, that thou art innocent. Thou hast come under my shelter, O
Vaidehi—be thou consoled. O child, the pious ascetics live around my
hermitage. They shall daily take care of thee as their daughter. Do thou
accept this Arghya now, and confiding in me do thou remove thy grief. Be
not sorry for anything; consider that thou hast come to thy own home."
Hearing the wonderful words of the great ascetic, Sitā humbly touched
his feet and said "Thy desire shall be fulfilled." Saying this, she,
with folded hands, followed the ascetic. Beholding the great ascetic and
Sitā approach, the wives of the Rishis, delighted neared them and
said:—" Do thou come, O foremost of Rishis, thou hast arrived here after
a long time. We all bow unto thee—do thou order what we shall do."
Hearing their words the great Vālmiki replied in worthy accents—"This
Sitā is the wife of the intelligent Rāma, the daughter-in-law of
Daçaratha and the daughter of Janaka. She has now come to our hermitage.
She is chaste and innocent, still her husband hath renounced her. So we
should all protect her. She is worthy of your reverence—specially while
such is the order of mine—your preceptor. So, do ye all take care of her
with great affection." Having consigned the charge of Sitā unto the
hands of the female ascetics, the great and illustrious ascetic Vālmiki,
followed by his disciples, speedily proceeded towards his holy
hermitage.