Uttara Kanda, Sarga 49

Meaning

The young sons of the ascetics there (in the hermitage of Vālmīki), beholding Sītā sobbing, ran out to where the blessed Vālmīki of great wisdom was. (1)

Meaning

Saluting the great ascetic (Vālmīki) by touching his feet, they informed as they had heard the sound of Sītā crying. (2)

Meaning

“A noble lady, never seen by us before, spouse of some noble one, resembling to the Goddess of wealth (Śrī), cries loudly with distorted face in despair near the banks of the river, she is grieved. We saw her crying, overwhelmed by sorrow as she is. She does not deserve so much suffering sire, nor she should remain like an orphan. We do not feel that she may be from humans. Please sir, solace her in a befitting manner. She is not far from the Āśrama seeking refuge from you, she is in need of a guardian; behoves you to protect her.” Hearing their words, Vālmīki the foremost of the sages, knowing already everything by virtue of asceticism stepped rapidly towards her and reached where Sītā, the daughter of the king Janaka was sobbing and as he strode forward, the disciples of the great wise sage followed him. Walking barefooted and carrying Arghya in his hands, the sage Vālmīki reached the shore of the Gaṅgā and beheld Sītā, the consort of Śrī Rāma, lamenting there helplessly. (3—9)

Meaning

Vālmīki, the foremost of the ascetics, spoke these sweet words to Sītā, pained by sorrow, delighting her as if with his powerful effulgence. (10)

Meaning

“You are the daughter-in-law of Daśaratha and the beloved queen of Rāma and also the daughter of the king Janaka. Welcome to you, O chaste lady! (11)

Meaning

“I knew through my subtle eyes that you were coming. The causes also thereof are known to me in my heart. (12)

Meaning

“O fortunate one, your purity is known to me. All that exist in the three worlds is known to me. (13)

Meaning

“Yes, indeed, with my inner eye acquired through penance, I have perceived that you are sinless. Be composed, O daughter of the lord Videha, you are now in my charge. (14)

Meaning

“Not very far from the hermitage are the female ascetics engaged in penances. They, O child, shall always look after you as a child. (15)

Meaning

“Accept this ablution and be calm and free from all maladies. As if you are entering your own home, so do not be despondent.” (16)

Meaning

Hearing this most wonderful utterance of the ascetic, doing homage to him with her head and with folded hands Sītā said: “Be it so.” (17)

Meaning

Sītā with folded hands followed the ascetic, Vālmīki, as he went to his cottage and the spouses of the ascetics seeing him coming, together with the daughter of the Lord of Videha, proceeded to receive them and spoke thus with joy: (18)

Meaning

“Welcome O greatest of the ascetics, we salute you for your arrival is delayed. Tell us now what we should do.” (19)

Meaning

Being thus addressed, Vālmīki replied to them thus: “The wife of Rāma has come to us; the daughter-in-law of Daśaratha, formerly the daughter of Janaka, this one, Sītā, is guiltless and being forsaken by her husband, shall always be under my charge. (20-21)

Meaning

“O ladies, look upon her, Sītā, with the greatest of affection : the honour that you show to me, give the same attention to that lady, she indeed is worthy of respect from you all in particular.” (22)

Meaning

Thus after handing over Sītā to the female ascetics again and again, the Ṛṣi, of great fame, and performer of great penances, Vālmīki, surrounded by his disciples returned again to his hermitage. (23)