Doha 252
Vasiṣṭha’s speech
पुर जन नारि मगन अति प्रीती। बासर जाहिं पलक सम बीती॥ सीय सासु प्रति बेष बनाई। सादर करइ सरिस सेवकाई॥१॥
लखा न मरमु राम बिनु काहूँ। माया सब सिय माया माहूँ॥ सीयँ सासु सेवा बस कीन्हीं। तिन्ह लहि सुख सिख आसिष दीन्हीं॥२॥
लखि सिय सहित सरल दोउ भाई। कुटिल रानि पछितानि अघाई॥ अवनि जमहि जाचति कैकेई। महि न बीचु बिधि मीचु न देई॥३॥
लोकहुँ बेद बिदित कबि कहहीं। राम बिमुख थलु नरक न लहहीं॥ यहु संसउ सब के मन माहीं। राम गवनु बिधि अवध कि नाहीं॥४॥
Meaning
The men and women of Ayodhyā remained deeply immersed in love; days passed like a moment to them. Sītā, assuming as many forms as She had mothers-in-law, waited on each with equal attention. (1) No one but Śrī Rāma knew the mystery behind it; for all delusive potencies form part of Sītā’s delusive power (Māyā). Sītā won over the queen-mothers by Her services, gratified by which they instructed and blessed Her. (2) Perceiving the two brothers as well as Sītā so natural in their dealings, the wicked queen bitterly repented. Kaikeyī sought help both from Earth and the god of death; but neither Earth absorbed her within herself nor did Providence grant her death. (3) It is well-known by popular tradition as well as through the Vedas, and the Sages too declare, that those who are hostile to Śrī Rāma find no resting-place even in hell. The question that stirred every one’s mind now was: “Good heavens, will Śrī Rāma return to Ayodhyā or not?” (4)
निसि न नीद नहिं भूख दिन भरतु बिकल सुचि सोच। नीच कीच बिच मगन जस मीनहि सलिल सँकोच॥२५२॥
Meaning
Bharata had no sleep by night nor appetite by day, perturbed as he was by a pious anxiety, even as a fish sunk in a shallow marsh is worried by paucity of water. (252)
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