Part 38

Being thus commanded, Hanuman, the son of Maruta, worshipped of the night-rangers, entered the city of Lanka. Entering the city with Bibishana's permissiom, Hanuman, again permitted, entered the Briksha Vatika.[474] And entering there duly, the monkey, who was already known to Sita, espied her, having her person not cleansed, like Rohini, oppressed by Rahu, sitting at the foot of a tree, devoid of joy and encircled by she-demons. And approaching her and bowing unto her, he stood there humbly and unmoved. And beholding the highly powerful Hanuman arrived there the worshipful dame stood silent for sometime and then recognising him became greatly delighted. And beholding her gentle countenance, Hanuman, the best of monkeys, began to relate unto her what Rama had said--"O Vaidehi, it is all well with Rama, Sugriva and Lakshmana. He hath enquired after thy welfare. He hath accomplished his end subduing his enemies--and his enemy is slain. O worshipful dame, the powerful Ravana hath been slain by Rama, helped by Bibhishana and accompanied by the monkeys and Lakshmana. I do relate unto thee this pleasant news, O worshipful dame; I do again delight thee; it is by thy grace, O thou conversant with piety, O Sita, victory hath been gained. Do thou be consoled and relieved of thy anxiety. The enemy Ravana hath been slain and the city of Lanka, hath been brought under submission. (Rama said),--'For discomfitting thy enemy a bridge was constructed over the sea by me who was determined and who did not sleep (for days) and thus my promise hath been fulfilled. Do thou not be afraid for living in Ravana's abode for I have placed at Bibhishana's hands the sovereignty of Lanka. Do thou be consoled thinking as if that thou art living in thy own house. To behold thee, Bibhishana, delighted, shall soon proceed". Being thus accosted the worshipful Sita, having a moon-like countenance, and her voice choked in delight, could not utter any thing. And beholding Sita incapable of replying the foremost of monkeys said,--"What art thou thinking of, O worshipful dame? Why art thou not welcoming me?" Being thus addressed by Hanuman, Sita, ever treading the paths of morality, greatly delighted, replied with words suppressed by tears. "Hearing this pleasant news concerning the victory of my husband--and being brought under the control of joy I am speechless for sometime. O monkey, I do not perceive any such thing which I can confer upon thee, in return, for this pleasant news. I do dot see any such thing on this earth which can match thy pleasant tidings and bestowing which upon thee I may be happy. Silver, gold, or diverse jewels or the kingdom of the three worlds--nothing is a becoming return for thy speech". Being thus addressed by Vaidehi the monkey replied--folding his hands with delight and stationed before Sita,--' O blameless damsel, forsooth this excellent speech becometh thee, who is ever engaged in the welfare of thy husband and ever desirous of his victory. I do consider, O worshipful dame, these words of thine, far greater than the wealth, jewels or even the sovereignty over the celestials. Forsooth I have gained the kingdom of the celestials and other things since I have beheld Rama slay his enemy, victorious and peaceful. Hearing those words of (Hanuman) Maithili the daughter of king Janaka spoke unto the Wind-god's son far more excellent words--"Thou art capable of speaking words, chaste, pleasant and significant of eight sorts of knowledge. Thou art the praise-worthy son of the Wind-god and greatly virtuous; strength, prowess, heroism, knowledge of _Sastras_, noble-mindedness, energy, forgiveness, patience, endurance, humility and many other excellent qualities crown thee". Thereupon not being elated the least, he again, humbly folding his hands with delight and stationed before Sita, said--"If dost thou permit me I may slay all these she-demons who had tortured thee before, distressed thee in the forest of Acoka, stricken with grief of thy lord, and who are cruel, have grim eyes and who perpetrate always dreadful deeds. O worshipful dame, I have heard that these grim-visaged she-demons distressed thee greatly with harsh words at the command of Ravana. I desire to slay all these dreadful, crooked, ugly (she-demons) having fearful eyes, meting out unto them various punishments. I wish to slay all these she-demons, who had used harsh words and had always offended thee, stricking them with fists, fingers, arms, dreadful knee-joints, teeth, chopping off their ears and noses, and pulling them by their hairs: do thou confer upon me this permission. O far famed lady, I shall slay them by these various means, by whom, dreadful as they are, thou hadst been distressed before". Being thus addressed by Hanuman, she, ever kind unto the poor, thinking and meditating, said to him--"O foremost of monkeys, why art thou angry with these she-slaves, who subject as they are to the command of their lord, have done this in accordance with another's order. For my adverse fortune and vicious deeds perpetrated in another birth I have been subject to such a plight and been suffering the consequence thereof. Do thou not speak thus, O thou of huge arms. Such is the course of Fortune. Forsooth by my ill-luck I have met with (this misfortune). I forgive, out of pity, all these she-servants of Ravana; they used to torture me at the command of that Rakshasa. And he being slain they shall not repress me any longer, O son of the Wind-god. Do thou, O monkey, hear of a _Sloka_, related in a _Purana_ and pregnant with religious import, which was uttered by a boar to a tiger. 'No one taketh upon himself the iniquity of a perpetrator of vicious deeds. So it behoveth the pious crowned with an excellent character to observe the rules (of piety). So it is proper to show compassion even upon those who perpetrate crimes and are worthy of being slain. Who is there who doth not commit a crime? It is not proper to act cruelly even by them who take delight in killing men, although they commit various iniquitous deeds.'" Being thus addressed by Sita, Hanuman, skilled in speech, spoke unto the blameless Rama's spouse, saying--"Thou art the worthy spouse of Rama, religiously wedded and crowned with many qualities. Permit me, O worshipful dame, to proceed where Raghava is". Being thus accosted by Hanuman, Vaidehi, the daughter of king Janaka, said,--"I wish to see my lord, ever fond of those who are devoted unto him". Hearing these words, the high-minded Hanuman, the son of Maruta, pleasing Maithili said--"Thou shalt behold Rama, having a countenance like the full moon, with Lakshmana, surrounded by his friends and having his enemies slain as Sachi beholdeth Indra the king of the celestials". Addressing these words unto Sita appearing like Sree herself the highly effulgent Hanuman returned where Raghava was. Thereupon Hanuman, the foremost of monkeys, related duly all what did the daughter of king Janaka say unto Raghava resembling the lord of the celestials.

[474] A garden in the city of Lanka.--T.

SECTION CXVI.

Thereupon bowing unto Rama, the foremost of bow-men, having eyes resembling lotus-petals, the highly wise monkey said,--"It behoveth thee now to see Maithilee, stricken with grief for whom thou didst initiate all these works and the fruit whereof hath now been attained. Hearing of thy victory Maithilee, possessed by grief and having eyes full of tears, expressed her desire to see thee. And I was told by her, confident of her previous trust, with profuse tears in her eyes,--"I wish to see my husband". Being addressed by Hanuman, Rama the foremost of the pious being bathed in tears, engaged instantly in meditation. Thereupon sighing hard and casting his looks upon the ground he spoke unto Bibhishana resembling clouds, who was near him. "Do thou speedily bring Sita here--the daughter of the king of Mithila--bathed, sprinkled with celestial paste and adorned with celestial ornaments". Being thus addressed by Rama, Bibhishana hastened on and entering the inner appartment sent information unto Sita through the female attendants. And beholding the great Sita, the graceful lord of Rakshasas--Bibhishana, humbly and placing his joined palms on his crown, said,--"O Vaidehi, may good betide thee; sprinkled with celestial paste and adorned with celestials ornaments do thou ascend this car; thy husband wisheth to see thee". Being thus addressed Vaidehi replied unto Bibhishana,--"O lord of Rakshasas, without bathing even I wish to see my husband". Hearing those words Bibhishana replied,--"It behoveth thee to do what thy lord Rama hath said". Whereto the chaste Maithilee, regarding her husband as God and filled with devotion unto her husband, replied saying "So be it". Thereupon placing Sita, bathed, performing the due rites wearing valuable clothes and adorned with valuable ornaments, on a palanquin, carried by many a capable Rakshasa, brought her (unto Rama). Thereupon approaching the high-souled Rama, who, being informed of (Bibhishana's approach) was engaged in meditation, Bibhishana bowing down and delighted communicated unto him the arrival of Sita. And hearing of her arrival who had lived long in the abode of the Rakshasa Raghava, the slayer of enemies attained (simultaneously) to anger, delight and depression. And considering Sita, who was in the patanquin, over-whelmed with grief, Raghava delighted addressed Bibhishana with the following words. "O lord of Rakshasas, O gentle (king), O thou ever engaged in encompassing my success, do thou speedily bring Vaidehi nearer to me". Hearing these words of Raghava, Bibhishana, conversant with piety speedily cleared (the people out of that place). And attendants with armours and head-dresses on and with cane and drums in their hands began to move about driving away the crowd thereform. And the crowds of bears, monkeys and Rakshasas being driven on all sides began to fly at a distance. And they being thus driven there arose a huge noise resembling that of the ocean when agitated by the wind. Beholding the monkeys driven on all sides and troubled, Raghava out of anger and compassion prevented him. And thereupon as if burning (every thing) with his angry eyes Rama addressed the highly intelligent Bibhishana with the following angry words--"Why dost thou insult me by destroying all these? Do thou remove their anxiety--they are all my own men. Neither the houses, clothes, walls nor reception like these are the veils of women. There is no sin consequent upon seeing women in danger, difficulty, war, _Svyambara_[475] sacrifice and marriage. She is now in great danger and difficulty--there is no sin in seeing her specially in my presence. Therefore leaving behind the palanquin let her come here on foot and let the monkeys behold Vaidehi in my presence". Being thus addressed by Rama, Bibbishana, being sorry, humbly brought Sita near him. There-upon bearing Rama's accents, Lakshmana, Sugriva and the monkey Hanuman were greatly sorry. As if hiding herself in her own person in shame Maithili, following Bibhishana, approached her husband. And she, having a gentle countetiance and always regarding her husband as her god, fixed her looks upon her lord's face out of surprise, joy and love. And beholding the gentle countenance of her dearest lord, resembling the full moon she removed her mental distress. Thereupon she appeared (beautiful) having the countenance of the clear moon.

[475] It is a form of marriage in which the bride selects a bridegroom for herself.

SECTION CXVII.

Beholding Maithili standing humbly by him, Rama began to give vent to his pent-up feelings--"O gentle one, destroying all the enemies in the arena of battle I have subdued thy enemy--I have done all that can be accomplished by manliness. I have reached the other end of my anger, rubbed off (the insult) for my spouse being taken away by the enemy and have killed simultaneously my disgrace and enemy. My manliness hath been displayed to-day, my labour hath been crowned with success and to-day I have fulfilled my promise by my own prowess. That accidental misfortune, under the influence whereof thou wert carried away by the fickle-minded Rakshasa in my absence, hath been subdued to-day by me, a man. What is the use of his manliness, who when insulted, cannot remove it? Even if he be a great man he may be called mean. The praise-worthy works of Hanuman--the crossing of the deep and the devastation of Lanka, have been crowned with success to-day. The labour of Sugriva with his army, who displayed valour in the encounter and gave me good counsels, hath borne fruit to-day. To-day also the labour of Bibhishana hath borne fruit--who renouncing his brother, devoid of all good qualities, came to my side". Hearing those words of Rama, Sita began to look wistfully like a hind, with eyes full of tears. And beholding his beloved spouse near him and afraid of popular ignominy his heart was broken into two. Thereupon he spoke unto the exquisitely beautiful Sita, in the midst of the monkeys and Rakshasas, having eyes resembling lotus-petals and black and curling hairs, saying,--"As the southern quarter, incapable of being got at by the people, was conquered by the self-controlled great ascetic Agastya, so for thee slaying Ravana, I, (always) anxious to have honour, have removed my insult--as is the duty of a man. May good betide thee--do thou know that all my labour, in the battle-field, backed by the prowess of my friends, is for thee, To uphold the dignity of my well-known family, to remove the ignominy consequent upon thy being stolen away as well as to wipe off my own insult I have encompassed this. I have suspected thy character; thou, (therefore) standing before me, art distressing me like unto a lamp before one who is subject to an eye-disease. Do thou therefore proceed, daughter of king Janaka, wherever thou likest to one of these ten quarters. I permit thee, O gentle one. I have nothing to do with thee. What powerful man, born in a high family, take back his wife considering her as friend out of lust, who hath lived long in another's house? Thou wert taken by Ravana on his lap, beheld by him with sinful eyes; how can I, taking thee back, bring disgrace upon my great family? The object, with which I have gained thee back, hath been accomplished. I have got no attachment for thee--do thou go wherever thou wishest, gentle one. I speak these unto thee impelled by my sense of duty. If thou wishest thou mayest live with Lakshmana, Bharata or Satrughna or with Sugriva or Rakshasa Bibhishana. Do thou settle, O Sita, where you may find thy own pleasure. O Sita, (I do not think) Ravana hath overlooked thee, who lived in his house, beholding thee so graceful and beautiful". Thereupon hearing those unpleasant words from her beloved (husband) Sita, always sensitive and who had never heard such unpleasant words, trembling like a creeper torn by the trunk of an elephant, began to weep shedding tears profusely.

SECTION CXVIII.

Being this addressed by Raghava, enraged, with those harsh words Sita was greatly pained. And hearing those words of her lord, unheard of, before the great assembly Maithili was greatly humiliated with shame. As if entering unto her own person (with shame) and greatly pained with these arrow-like words the daughter of king Janaka began to shed tears. Thereupon wiping the tears off her countenance, she with sorrowful words, addressed her husband--"Why dost thou, O hero, like a common man addressing an ordinary woman, make me hear these harsh and unbecoming words painful unto ears? O thou of long arms, I am not what thou hast taken me to be. Do thou believe me I do swear by my own character. Seeing the ordinary women thou art distrusting the whole sex. Do thou renounce this suspicion since thou hast tried me. O lord, though my person was touched by another--but it was not in my power; nor was it an wilful act (of mine); accident is to blame in this. My heart is under my control and that is in thee;--and what could I do of my body which was subject to another and of which I was not the mistress. O thou the conferrer of honour--our affection towards one another was increased by our living continually for a long time; even then if thou hast not been able to understand me I am ruined for ever. O king, when the great hero Hanuman was despatched by thee to Lanka to see me why didst thou not renounce me then? Hadst thou deputed the monkey with that message I would have renounced my life there and then, O hero. Thou wouldst not have been required to undergo this toil at the risk of thy own life and giving unnecessary trouble to thy friends. O foremost of kings, being subject to ire--thou dost not perceive anything but womanhood in me, like an ordinary man. Although I am known to have a father but in fact I am born of the earth. Thou dost not sufficiently honour my character, O thou conversant with characters. Thy marriage with me in boyhood shall be disproved and thou art not sufficiently considering all my devotion and good conduct unto thee". Saying thus with accents choked in tears and weeping Sita spoke unto Lakshmana, poorly and engaged in meditation. "Make a funeral pyre for me, O Saumitri, that is the only remedy for this disaster. Being thus branded with an unfounded stigma I do not like to keep my life. To adopt the proper course for me who had been renounced before this assembly by my disaffected husband I shall enter this". Being thus addressed by Vaidehi, Lakshmana, the slayer of enemies, being possessed by anger, looked towards Raghava. And understanding Rama's intention by gestures and at his command the powerful Saumitri prepared a funeral pyre. None dared there request, speak with or even look at Rama like unto Death at the time of dissolution. Thereupon circumambulating Rama, standing with his head down, Vaidehi approached the burning fire. And bowing unto the celestials and Brahmanas, Maithili, with folded hands, spoke before the fire:--"As my heart hath never gone away from Raghava, may thou protect me, O fire, the witness of the people. As Raghava considereth me vile, who have got a pure character, may fire, the witness of the people, protect me on all sides". Saying this and going round the fire, Vaidehi, with undaunted heart, entered the flaming fire. The great assembly there, young and old, overwhelmed with grief, saw Maithili enter the flaming fire. And (Sita) resembling the burning gold entered the flaming fire in the presence of all people. All beheld Sita, having expansive eyes, enter fire like unto a golden altar. The ascetics, celestials and Gandharbas saw that great damsel enter fire like unto a full oblation in the sacrifice. And beholding her fallen into the fire like unto _Vasudhara_, sanctified by Mantras in a sacrifice, all the females began to weep. And the three worlds--the celestials, Gandharbas and Danavas saw her fallen like unto a celestial from the heaven when imprecited. She having entered the fire, lamentations, unheard of before, rose from all sides from the Rakshasas and monkeys.

SECTION CXIX.