Aranya Kanda, Sarga 10

Meaning

Having heard these words uttered by Vaidehī, devoted to her husband, Rāma, firmly adhering to Dharma, then, replied to Jānakī: (1)

Meaning

“O daughter of Janaka, knower of Dharma, O queen, you being affectionate, have given a wholesome advice, which is becoming of you, referring as it does to the duty of my race. (2)

Meaning

“O queen, what shall I say? You yourself have stated that a bow is wielded by Kṣatriyas so that there should be no cry of the sufferers. (3)

Meaning

“In the Daṇḍaka forest those suffering sages, with austere vows, themselves came to me, O Sītā, and resorted to me, knowing me capable to protect them. (4)

Meaning

“Always dwelling in the forest, eating roots and fruits, they are not getting happiness, O timid one, due to ogres of cruel activities. (5)

Meaning

“They are being eaten up by the terrible ogres living on human flesh. Being devoured by these, the sages dwelling in the Daṇḍaka forest, the best among the Brāhmaṇas, asked me to show favour to them. I, for my part, having heard the words that had escaped from their mouth and having shown the desire to listen to their speech, made the following statement: ‘Be you gracious to me. Indeed it is a great shame for me that I have been approached by such Brāhmaṇas as are worthy of being approached.’ I then asked the Brāhmaṇas as to what I should do. (6—9)

Meaning

“Coming together, all of them made the following submission : ‘We have been greatly tormented in the Daṇḍaka forest by many ogres assuming different forms according to their will. Rāma, you protect us from them. When the time comes for pouring oblations into the sacred fire and also on holy occasions, the flesh-eating, unassailable ogres attack us, O sinless one ! You are the greatest asylum for us poor ascetics, who are seeking an asylum, assailed as we are by the ogres. Although we are able to kill the night-wanderers by virtue of our austerities, we do not desire to waste the power accumulated by us for a long time. O Rāghava, austerities are beset with many obstacles and are always difficult to be performed. (10—14)

Meaning

“ ‘Therefore, though being eaten up by the ogres, we do not pronounce a curse. Hence, alongwith your brother, you protect us, oppressed as we are by ogres dwelling in the Daṇḍaka forest. For, you alone are our master in the forest.’ And having heard this speech, I promised complete protection to the sages living in the Daṇḍaka forest, O daughter of Janaka ! And having made a promise, I dare not, as long as I am alive, falsify the word given to the sages. For, truth is always dear to me. I can even give up my life for you, together with Lakṣmaṇa, but not my plighted word, given especially to the Brāhmaṇas. Therefore, O Vaidehī, I am compelled to protect the sages, even if I had not given the word, much more so when a vow has been taken. You have uttered these words due to your love and goodwill for me. (15—20)

Meaning

“O Sītā, I am fully pleased. For, a person is never advised unless he is dear. And, it is becoming and proper not only for you but for your family too, O beautiful lady ! You are dearer to me even than life, being my companion in Dharma.” (21)

Meaning

Having addressed these words to his beloved Sītā, the princess of Mithilā, the high-souled Rāma, the wielder of a bow, together with Lakṣmaṇa, proceeded to the charming groves inhabited by ascetics. (22)