Uttara Kanda, Sarga 48

Meaning

Sītā (the daughter of the lord of Videhas) hearing the dreadful words of Lakṣmaṇa fell on the ground in utter despondency. (1)

Meaning

That daughter of Janaka, Sītā, swooned away as if for a moment and then with tears filled in her eyes, spoke these miserable words to Lakṣmaṇa. (2)

Meaning

“This mortal frame of mine was indeed created by the creator for sorrow, O Lakṣmaṇa, and hence seems today the very embodiment of sorrow. (3)

Meaning

“What sin was committed by me, who indeed was separated from his spouse, that I should be forsaken by the king, although of good conduct. (4)

Meaning

“Formerly, following the foot-steps of Rāma, I have even requested Rāma for residence in the hermitages, although I was in misery. Now then how can I live in the hermitage all alone : O Lord, what shall I say; when enquired by the ascetics, about my misdoings, or about what caused the great scion of the Raghu to forsake me. (5—7)

Meaning

“I cannot give up my life (drowning myself) in the waters of the daughter of Jahnu (Gaṅgā) for by that the royal family of my husband will be broken (in succession for the descendant to be born will perish). (8)

Meaning

“O son of Sumitrā, do as you are ordered to do, forsake me, the miserable one, obey the orders of the king, but listen to what I say now: (9)

Meaning

“Ask after the welfare of the mothers-in-law, without discrimination and also of the king with folded hands and courteously. (10)

Meaning

“Speak to all of them O Lakṣmaṇa, with your head bent downwards and indeed communicate this to the king, who is so well-placed in righteousness. (11)

Meaning

‘O scion of the Raghu, you know full well, how, in fact, Sītā is pure and full of devotion and always concerned about your welfare. (12)

Meaning

‘By you, afraid of infamy, am I forsaken, O powerful one. That censure of yours and the curse that befalls you, shall indeed be averted by me, as you are my only resort.’ “The following should be communicated to the king embeded in righteousness. (13–14)

Meaning

“ ‘Treat citizens like your brothers always. This is the greatest Dharma. It will provide you the unparalleled fame. (15)

Meaning

“ ‘What can you achieve through the impartial and rightful treatment to the citizens will be the best fruit for you. I am not bothered about my body, O best among men. (16)

Meaning

“ ‘Just as it was necessary for you to rectify the public censure, in the same way wives also have some duties; husband is everything to a wife—a god, the family, the preceptor. (17)

Meaning

“ ‘Therefore, a wife has to propitiate her husband even at the cost of her life.’ All this you must tell briefly what I have said. You have seen with your own eyes that I am in the family way.” The dejected, Lakṣmaṇa on hearing Sītā having said so paid homage to the earth by his head and failed to speak, and going round her, loudly crying, contemplated for a moment, (and with great effort) addressed her thus : “O auspicious one, O faultless one, your body is not seen by me, as your feet alone were the object of my vision till now. Oh how shall I behold you, separated from Rāma, dwelling in this forest.” Thus saying to her and bowing to her, Lakṣmaṇa, approached and ascended the boat and urged the ferryman to steer the boat, then having reached the Northern banks, burdened by the weight of sorrow, went up the chariot in haste, bewildered as he was, and looking with his back turned at Sītā langouring on the other banks; as if she was an orphan, Lakṣmaṇa speeded on. (18—24)

Meaning

Sorrow, however, overpowered her who saw the chariot going away, and tried to catch a glimps of Lakṣmaṇa again and again, and was perturbed. Buried in grief the noble one, not seeing any protector she cried in the forest, resounded by the sound of peacocks. (25-26)